As ratings drop for most cable news channels and tradition print newspapers continue to collapse, where are Americans getting their news today? For many, especially Millennials, the answer is social media. Twitter, Facebook and Reddit have replaced CNN, MSNBC and CBS as the news sources of choice. Even local papers have started to morph into niche market websites.
"Like" A Ton of Content and Get Even More!
The powerful component that Facebook brings to the table is that it gives users a highly personalized News Feed that combines both national headlines from "liked" sources, and our friend's favorite moments. The content that is scrolled through is perfectly curated to the user's unique likes and dislikes.
"Unfollow" is the New Channel Flip
Back in the day, our parents used to flip the channel whenever a news broadcast went off track or covered something that they found offensive. Today this manifests itself in our Facebook feed. If a news source, content producer or friend decides to post something we vehemently disagree with, many users will simply click "unfollow".
"Share" Information with Friends
Every Facebook user is their own news content developer; sharing information with their friends and family that they feel is worthy of a post. This information is quickly broadcast out to everyone that follows you. If it goes "viral", generating a ton of shares and comments, then you could potentially reach as many people as traditional news broadcasts used to reach.
Enter into Discussions Around Current Events in Real-Time
News is no longer a one-way transfer of information. It's interactive and held to a new, higher-standard of engagement. Engaging content is now King in the world of news media and information. If content is engaging, then it generates comments, which then generates replies, and eventually the information is shared between wide-ranging social media networks.
This allows for real-time feedback on the content that's being put out there. What's more, it gives readers and consumers the ability to inject themselves into the story. The conversation taking place around current events is now taking place on a global stage. People around the world, with a wide-range of perspectives, can chime in and discuss events in real time.
Are We Cutting Off Opposing Views?
While we open up our comments to the scrutiny and peering eyes of potential employers, are we cutting out opposing viewpoints? CBS, NBC and ABC newscasts used to carefully vet any content that made it onto the airwaves. Today their reputations have been bloodied as they've relaxed their standards and entered new formats to attract the fickle attention of audiences that are splitting their attention between television content and smartphones or tablets.
For all the benefits that social media gives us, it gives us the power to view content that hasn't been vetted, while at the same time, squashing out opposing views. Plus, the added risk of commenting on or sharing something that impacts future opportunities available to you means social media requires a higher level of user responsibility and vigilance.