What is the new direction of social media?
By Jolie Baynes
Think back to the first time you created your Facebook account. Five or maybe ten years ago, a simpler time with the perspective of finding an old friend and new ones around the world. You’d share special moments with your dearest acquaintances, even when they couldn’t be with you; they were present through facebook. It seems odd then, that the social media platforms that boasted connectivity, community and friendship are the sight’s where one receives mostly bad news these days.
Just yesterday scrolling down my Instagram feed I learned that Notre-Dame one of the greatest historical sights to stand the test of time was almost burned to ashes. I found out about this from my most used social media platform; Not CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, or even BBC. It seems almost ironic, the place you go for good news is where you find the worst news. Or should I say the most news, in general, is what you find on your favorite social media platform?
This is a good thing for some people, two for the price of one you might say. However there is a certain integrity, this comes with watching the new’s, and a certain security from hearing current events come from reliable sources. In an article by The Platform Press, it claimed that digital media companies, alongside social media platforms, are having a big effect on American Journalism.
“There is a rapid takeover of traditional publishers’ roles by companies including Facebook, Snapchat, Google, and Twitter that shows no sign of slowing, and which raises serious questions over how the costs of journalism will be supported. These companies have evolved beyond their role as distribution channels, and now control what audiences see and who gets paid for their attention, and even what format and type of journalism flourishes”.
Moreover, beyond American Journalism taking a hit to social media, the issue is the same around the world, and with bigger consequences. In late September 2018, John Oliver talked about facebooks affects on the island of Myanmar.
Before 2013 Myanmar had a total of 1% of a web capable population however that has changed severely. On the island people are now web savvy, using their internet access to reach beyond the confines of their island, and using Facebook so much that it’s their main source of news and information. What’s more is that through using Facebook a large majority of the Buddhist population have taken to hate speech, against the Muslim population of Myanmar. This issues bring Facebook into the forefront as a social media outlet and in a position to provide people with their daily, news, social media, and wed search capability. So much so that when local was asked about the slandering claims of Muslims in Myanmar they claimed that they learned about negative Muslim activity on Facebook, further fueling their beliefs.
Social media in the way it is currently being used is hindering journalism and the integrity that goes behind it. These platforms have a responsibility based on the power they hold around the world. It’s more like we find out about a catastrophe on Twitter, than on the nightly news, while that’s convenient in a way it could never compare the real journalism. So if anything could be suggested for the sake of journalism, there need to be check, balances, and accountability of journalistic integrity if social media is to continue in this direction.
