The Decline of Social Media and News Relationship

Core Concepts

Big Tech's divestiture from news is not solely to blame for the decline in news consumption; readers are also breaking up with traditional news sources, leading to a significant shift in how news is consumed.

Abstract

Over the past decade, Silicon Valley has shifted away from the messy and low-margin business of news. Big Tech companies like Facebook, Meta, Google, and Twitter have reduced their focus on news content distribution. The decline in news consumption is not only due to tech platforms but also reflects a broader trend of readers moving away from traditional news sources. Trust in media has declined sharply, with younger generations turning to influencers and creators for news. The relationship between social media and online news platforms has evolved significantly over the years, impacting how information is disseminated and consumed. The toxic political engagement fueled by social media algorithms created a divisive environment where sensationalism thrived. As a result, public discourse became increasingly hostile and marginalized audiences were pushed further away from reasonable discussions. The experience of consuming news through social media platforms became overwhelming and negative for many users, leading to a phenomenon known as "doomscrolling." This shift away from algorithmic news curation was perceived positively by users who found relief in less news-focused platforms like Facebook.

Stats

38 percent of American adults are following the news closely in 2022 compared to a high of 52 percent in 2018.
A Pew survey found that U.S. adults who mainly get their political news through social media tend to be less engaged with current events.
In 2014, 75 percent of adults surveyed felt more informed about national news due to the internet and social media.
A Morning Consult survey revealed that people prefer Facebook now that it's less focused on news.

Quotes

"Readers are breaking up with traditional news."
"People Like Facebook More Now That It’s Less Newsy."
"Social media brought out the worst in the news business."

Key Insights Distilled From

The Great Social Media–News Collapse

by Charlie Warz... at www.theatlantic.com 11-03-2023

https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2023/11/social-media-news-readership-decline/675890/

Deeper Inquiries

How can traditional media outlets adapt to regain trust among readers?

Traditional media outlets can adapt to regain trust among readers by focusing on transparency, accountability, and quality journalism. They should prioritize fact-checking and accuracy in reporting to combat misinformation and restore credibility. Building strong relationships with their audience through engagement, feedback mechanisms, and open communication channels can also help rebuild trust. Additionally, diversifying news coverage to include a wide range of perspectives and addressing the concerns of different demographic groups can make traditional media outlets more inclusive and trustworthy.

Is there a way to balance algorithmic content curation without compromising quality journalism?

Balancing algorithmic content curation while maintaining quality journalism requires a multi-faceted approach. Media platforms need to prioritize editorial oversight by human editors alongside algorithms to ensure that accurate, relevant, and ethical content is promoted. Implementing transparent algorithms that are accountable for their decisions can help mitigate biases or manipulation in content distribution. Collaboration between tech companies, journalists, and experts in media ethics can lead to the development of guidelines that uphold journalistic standards while leveraging algorithmic tools effectively.

How might the rise of individual influencers impact the future landscape of journalism?

The rise of individual influencers is likely to reshape the future landscape of journalism by decentralizing information dissemination and shifting focus towards personal branding rather than institutional credibility. Influencers may attract large audiences based on personality-driven content rather than traditional journalistic principles like objectivity or impartiality. This trend could lead to a fragmentation of news consumption habits as individuals gravitate towards sources aligned with their preferences or beliefs. However, it also presents opportunities for diverse voices and perspectives outside mainstream media channels but raises concerns about accountability, accuracy, and ethical standards in reporting within this new paradigm.