Where do you get your news? Arguably, the most obvious choices are television networks, newspapers, radio and online sources. A study from the Pew Research Center states about two-thirds of Americans get their news from social media. This is not a surprise, given the high presence social media has in everyday life.

The ways in which journalists use this platform is even more interesting in terms of what it means for sourcing, reporting and targeting audiences. The global nature of social media makes it an ideal forum for journalists to find stories and communicate them directly to people. 

The flipside to social media use in journalism is how saturated it is with information. This can cause concern when readers look to social media for accurate news. One study I found concluded that readers use Twitter most predominantly as a news source compared to other social media sites. 

This begs the question: “Is social media a valuable tool for journalists?” Some readers have become more aware of where they get their news from with fake news cropping up on social media. Those consuming news on the platform could then critically examine any news source and determine if it is reliable or not. 

Journalists can also use social media to provide more transparency in their reporting. They can post updates in real time and connect with audiences more directly. Audience engagement with stories can also be more likely with the community-based nature of the platform. Social media seems to ultimately be a way that journalists have met audiences where they are at, which is largely online.