Why It Matters A World Under the Influence
Oct 21, 2024
Renee DiResta is an expert on online manipulation at Georgetown, while Nic Newman researches news consumption at the Reuters Institute, and Michael Spikes teaches media literacy at Northwestern. They discuss the significant shift in news consumption as social media influencers gain prominence over traditional outlets. The trio dives into the challenges of misinformation and the evolving dynamics of audience engagement with influencers. They also touch on the impact of foreign influence in U.S. elections and the urgent need for critical media literacy in a complex digital landscape.
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Shifting News Consumption
- Younger audiences are losing connection with traditional news brands and prefer personalities over institutions.
- Influencers offer insights into engaging younger generations through their authentic storytelling and format.
Misinformation Spread
- Many influencers lack journalistic training and verification methods, leading to misinformation spread.
- Social media news is perceived as less reliable due to this mix of fact and opinion.
Traditional Media as Gatekeepers
- Traditional media historically controlled information dissemination, acting as gatekeepers of current events.
- These gatekeepers established rules and practices, influencing public discourse and determining newsworthy topics.