Twitter has a large impact on the news industry. It has
changed the roles of journalists and has empowered voices that would otherwise
be unheard. However, the platform can also exacerbate modern ills, such as
transphobia. Moreover, it has a large influence on how news is delivered, which
has implications for how media organizations should function.
A recent survey of 4,700 social media users found that
Twitter had an intimate connection with news. Users used the platform to access
breaking news, identify new sources, and retweet news. In addition, 70% of the
participants said that it was good at finding new news sources. Some
respondents commented that they liked getting news in real time. Others cited
the opportunity to engage with a journalist directly.
In terms of the news, users are mostly interested in hard
news. They follow trending topics and news outlets, and look for individuals or
institutions to follow. The majority of the Twitter news users use hashtags to
search for people who are tweeting about the topic. But, when it comes to
breaking news, they act differently. Nearly half of the Twitter users who
searched for a topic retweeted the news story. While the other half looked at
the hashtag, or went to the website of the news organization.
According to the results of the survey, the main reasons
people use Twitter for news are to get news immediately, to find new sources,
and to participate in the discussion. While the study doesn't offer a detailed
breakdown of the factors that lead to Twitter usage, it is clear that the shift
in journalistic practice has dramatically altered public discourse.
Another factor that contributes to the Twitter impact on the
news industry is its ability to promote marginalized voices. As many as 40% of
Twitter users reported that they have followed a person or organization that is
not white or male. These results are consistent with recent newspaper coverage.
Furthermore, Twitter allows the marginalized to voice their opinions, which can
be highly politicized.
Many news organizations view Twitter as an aggregator of
breaking news. However, it is possible that news consumers are using the
platform to access information that is more relevant to their lives. Despite
the challenges faced by Twitter, it is a powerful source of raw news. For some,
this may be an outsized influence. Nonetheless, Twitter has been a great
regulator of the news industry, calling out harmful misinformation.
In light of these findings, news publishers should consider
what content they should promote on Twitter. There are several strategies that
could work for publishers. First, it is important to understand what kind of
news is being covered. This is especially crucial to consider when using
Twitter as a news outlet.
As a news publisher, you should also think about the ways
that Twitter can be used to facilitate your editorial process. Generally, you
should focus on covering politics and sports. Depending on the topic, you might
consider making your content a hashtag, creating a list of followers, or
retweeting the news story.
