SHEHATA: Social media as news
News has traveled in various ways throughout history, some more effectively than others. It has progressed from oral to newspapers to TV to social media. Whether this progression is positive is debatable.
Approximately 54 percent of Americans say they occasionally obtain news from social media. It is the most common news source for young adults. Though there are benefits to news being shared through social media, it also undermines journalism and is more likely to spread misinformation.
Most social media platforms are accessible because they do not require subscriptions. It familiarizes you with current events even though it is not why you are using the platform, causing users to become more passively informed.
It is an outlet for discussion and is significantly more interactive than other news sources. Instead of hearing one person's opinions, most platforms have a comment section that exposes you to different views or contexts on said issue.
News can be shared easily among your network through social media, allowing people to raise awareness of topics they are passionate about. It creates a space where individuals can collaborate and amplify marginalized voices.
Through various social media platforms, organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) were able to share real-time updates and safety guidelines with millions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Social media encourages citizens to engage in discussions and keep up with evolving information, conveying how social media can rapidly circulate information in urgent situations.
Despite the benefits, there are dangers to social media being a news source. Everyone can be a journalist due to social media, causing opinions to be confused with facts. Social media gives people platforms to speak on issues they are uninformed about.
Misinformation is defined as inaccurate or deceptive information. Many social media influencers are attention-hungry and only post things that will get them a lot of likes and views. These creators purposely exaggerate the facts, leveraging out-of-context information or clickbait titles to make a story more challenging to ignore.
Social media's vulnerability to misinformation stems largely from cognitive biases, which influence how people process and share information. Confirmation bias leads users to engage with content that reinforces their beliefs, ignoring opposing views. The availability heuristic means highly shared or trending posts seem more credible, while the bandwagon effect encourages users to trust content based on popularity.
These biases create a cycle where misinformation thrives and spreads with little resistance. Fake news can spread on social media up to 10 times quicker than authentic reporting, according to MIT researchers.
A 2022 study revealed approximately 20 percent of the videos that appeared when TikTok viewers searched for the most popular news stories had false information, further highlighting how common misinformation is on social media sites.
Social media algorithms often reinforce users' existing viewpoints, primarily prompting individuals to engage with like-minded perspectives, leading to echo chambers that intensify extreme partisan divides in the U.S. and limit empathy between the groups.
The 2016 U.S. election exemplified the negative side of social media in spreading news. Fake accounts and bots, some connected to outside groups, were responsible for spreading a high concentration of false news. These networks often did not connect with fact-checkers, meaning users continued to believe incorrect information.
This situation illustrates how social media can quickly spread misinformation and avoid traditional journalism standards, resulting in polarized and misinformed communities. We should return to getting our information from reliable news outlets. They are deemed more trustworthy because they adhere to journalistic standards, including fact-checking, source verification and accountability.
If you continue to consume news from social media, cross-check the information given to you on multiple platforms to protect yourself from being misinformed.
Social media's accessibility and interactivity make it a valuable platform for news sharing, but its vulnerability to misinformation and echo chambers is concerning. While it empowers voices and democratizes news, it lacks the checks and balances of traditional journalism.
Platforms should increase transparency and accountability before they can be a trusted source. Social media can serve as a helpful complement to traditional news sources, but a balance of informational sources is essential for a well-informed public.
Somiah Shehata is a first-year in the School of Arts and Sciences majoring in journalism and media studies. Her column, “Anything and Everything,” runs on alternate Wednesdays.
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