The advent of social media has, of course, fundamentally changed journalism in the U.S. and around the world. According to research conducted by Dr. Agnes Gulyas of Canterbury Christ Church University in the U.K., 78% of the U.S. journalists she surveyed indicated social media had helped them become more engaged with the audience. They also noted a shift in the news and information power structure as 62% responded that the public has more influence in social media than professional media organizations.
Gulyas, who surveyed hundreds of journalists on these issues in 2013 and again in 2016, also found that the use of social media is prompting growing concern among journalists who fear “social media is undermining journalistic values” and an even larger group (73% in the U.S.) indicates speed is trumping analysis in journalism, due to the influence of social media.
Despite the angst, more than two-fifths of U.S. journalists believe social media has had a positive impact on journalism overall and, it’s clear that social media has played a significant role in three key areas of journalistic practice: promotion of content, monitoring news and information sources and audience interaction.
Gulyas presented her results at the World Journalism Education Congress in Auckland, New Zealand.
