Did you know that almost 5 percent of people get their news online at least three times per week, or that over half of the population has heard about breaking news through social media? Ask yourself how you found out about the Kony2012 phenomenon, or about celebrity news like Maggie Gyllenhaal’s pregnancy? How do you get your information on local events? Where do you go to check your favorite baseball team’s scores and statistics?
According to the data in the below infographic from Schools.com, the developed world is making a seismic shift online, and we at Social Media Chimps feel that news organizations would do well to pay attention.
The online universe has turned all of us into news sources, and it’s therefore up to us to make sure we’re doing it right. The infographic below lists a number of pros and cons to getting our news from the online world. Take a look at the cons. How do you think we can fix these problems as we grow more accustomed to our new media outlet — each other?
Pros and Cons of Social Media News
Pros
- Immediacy
- Everyone can report news
- Stories disseminated quickly
- Cell phones can go where some TV cameras can’t — such as courtrooms
Cons
- Only 14 characters to tell a story (Twitter)
- Inaccuracy, facts missing
- Journalistic integrity could be compromised
- Amateur reporters putting themselves or others into harm’s way to get the scoop
Infographic courtesy of Schools.com