The Role of Social Media Influencers in Journalism
The article discusses the growing role of social media influencers in delivering news, the importance of training them in journalism and fact-checking, and the need for collaboration between influencers and traditional media. It highlights a course for newsfluencers to enhance accuracy and build trust in their work, emphasizing the importance of media information literacy for everyone. The tension between influencers and traditional media is explored, with influencers advocating for recognition and collaboration.
Key Points
- Importance of media information literacy for influencers and journalists
- Need for training in fact-checking and credibility for news influencers
- Advocacy for collaboration and learning from each other between influencers and traditional media
Pros
- Influencers reach audiences in new and innovative ways
- Influencers can provide a more personal and peer-led approach to news
- Influencers emphasize the importance of transparency and earning audience trust
- Collaboration between influencers and traditional media can benefit both sides
Cons
- Challenge of misinformation and disinformation in social media
- Bias and resistance from traditional media towards influencers
- Scarcity of jobs in the journalism industry leading to competition between influencers and legacy media