Media Mishandled Charlie Kirk Shooting Incident
In the ever-changing landscape of news, a significant shift has been observed over the past few years. Traditional media outlets are facing a new challenge as more and more Americans are turning to news influencers for their daily dose of news.
According to a recent study, 37% of Americans aged 18-29 regularly get news from news influencers, compared with just 7% of those 65 and older. This trend is not lost on the younger generation, with many expressing their frustration over the lack of understanding of the internet by traditional media. One user on X commented, "The lack of understanding of the internet by traditional media is baffling and potentially dangerous."
This vacuum left by traditional media on internet culture coverage has allowed influencers, TikTokers, and streamers to provide a tsunami of information. However, this shift has not been without controversy. Right-wing content creators are building massive media empires, weaponizing pop culture news for political purposes with little to no scrutiny.
The role of journalists in this new era has been a topic of discussion. Many internet culture journalists have quit or become content creators due to gender-based attacks and declining opportunities. Journalists getting things wrong don't have nefarious intentions, they're often just general assignment reporters thrown onto stories that they're unqualified to report on.
Despite the challenges, there are those who are embracing the change. Aidan Walker, a meme researcher, suggests that news outlets should hire people who are hyper online for all beats, not just those covering internet culture. This approach is already being adopted by some media outlets. Ali Breland and Charlie Warzel, previously top journalists in internet culture, joined The Atlantic. Aric Toler, with extensive internet investigative experience, joined The New York Times.
The importance of understanding internet culture and politics is becoming increasingly clear. Traditional media organizations are reluctant to acknowledge this, requiring newsrooms to understand a world they're not used to. Some old school journalists struggled to understand the concept of a Discord server in relation to a recent incident. An anchor even compared social media to a cult.
A WIRED investigation revealed that dozens of liberal news content creators were taking part in a dark money political influence scheme without any disclosure to the public. This incident highlights the need for transparency and accountability in the digital age.
As the landscape of news continues to evolve, it is clear that the traditional model is no longer sufficient. The future of news lies in embracing the digital world and the influencers who dominate it. Will Sommer, a senior reporter at The Bulwark and author of the book "Trust the Plan", is one of the country's top reporters on internet culture and online extremism. His work serves as a testament to the importance of understanding and reporting on the digital world.
The share of U.S. adults regularly getting news from TikTok has jumped from 3% in 2020 to 17% in 2024, according to a Pew Research Center study. This trend is likely to continue as the younger generation continues to turn away from traditional news sources and towards influencers and social media.
In conclusion, the future of news is digital. Traditional media outlets must adapt to this change or risk being left behind. The digital world offers a wealth of opportunities for journalists, influencers, and news consumers alike. However, it also presents challenges that must be addressed, such as the need for transparency, accountability, and a deeper understanding of the digital world.
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