Do you get your news from Instagram or your Mom?
For me, its Apple News alerts.
By Kassandra Lopez, Global Strategic Communications graduate student at the University of Florida
It seems like social media and word of mouth are the main options for my generation. As consumers, we have more options for media consumption than ever before. It is only logical that these new ways to transmit and receive information would evolve to incorporate news into these mediums. But it is important to note that according to Pew Research Center, “The difference between social media and print newspapers in 2017 was not statistically significant”.
A short three years later, much has changed and now Pew Research center claims “more Americans get news often from social media than print newspapers”. But we knew that already, thanks to the1980’s classic Ghostbusters.
With the whole “print is dead” phenomenon that has been going on for ages. And up-to-the-minute news a Google search away, it is logical that most people get their news through different venues. Analyzing this research has led me to think introspectively about my own news-gathering habits.
In the last few years, with the propagation of fake news and falsities spread through the web. I have become very conscious about what news I consume, and try to verify its accuracy as often as possible. For that reason, I find myself being an outlier in how I take in stories. I typically go to a handful of sources, such as direct important news that is delivered to me via Apple News updates, newsletters, and absolutely 0% of my news comes from Facebook or Instagram. As a social media manager by trade, I’ve come to distance myself from platforms on my off time.
Colloquial news will sift through my friends, significant other, and family. Most recently, my sister and I called each other to share the news of RBG’s passing. We spent the next few days commemorating her through memes. Whenever a new song I may like is released, Spotify will alert me (if my boyfriend doesn’t first!). I have definitely allowed the algorithm to give me the information I am interested in. All the while I often cross-check information with other sites to reduce the likelihood of bias in my news. I believe that varying my sources allows for a more holistic news experience, and allows the facts to be the main focus of my consumption.
