TEKGROUP International, an online newsroom software solutions provider, studied how social media has affected the traditional news industry and news distribution. It presented the results in its third annual edition of Social Media News Survey Report. The 2012 research focused on the online reading habits of social news consumers. The survey reported the following:
- Using social media as a news source is not a new practice. More than a third of the respondents disclosed that they have been using social media tools to follow, share, post, or read news and information for more than five years while nearly two-thirds of the respondents shared that that they been using social media news for at least three years.
Social media channels have become outlets for real-time news reporting. One notable example was a Pakistani’s real-time Tweeting about the Navy SEAL raid on Bin Laden’s hideout in Pakistan. Two-thirds of the respondents believe that news reported in social media channels is slightly or more timely than traditional news outlets. The inclusion of social content into the news reporting of CNN in its iReporters program indicates a growing recognition on the relevance of social media news.
Facebook and Twitter lead other social networks as sources of news and information. More people are using Facebook and Twitter than CNN and the Wall Street Journal as primary sources of news and information. Several companies have taken advantage of the two social networks’ capability to provide delivery of news content, engage with followers, and disseminate financial information to investors and analysts.
Social media news frequently leads to visits to the newsroom or news center of corporate websites. About two-thirds of survey respondents sometimes or frequently visit a company’s website after reading a new article about the company through social media channels. Businesses can build their own online news distribution network by Tweeting and posting links about their news articles on Facebook.
Related to how social media increases visits to corporate websites are data revealing that companies should not neglect their websites’ news pages, because nearly seven in ten of the survey respondents answered that they sometimes, very often, or all the time use a company’s website or online newsroom to follow or share news.
donebylee
Jun 01, 2012 @ 16:50:50
I remember when the entirety of the “social media” world consisted of alt.chat
Concord
Jun 01, 2012 @ 17:21:42
Reporters competing with the public to break news. Yes, indeed.
8CoreWhore
Jun 01, 2012 @ 17:36:17
The fat to meat ratio in information is going in the opposite direction.
FallenFromTheTree
Jun 01, 2012 @ 18:16:18
This is an interesting article! To me, I think it is important to keep the traditional news outlets because, as you say, social media outlets are not always the most reliable sources. Even if a blog or website has true info, there is still is that sense of hesitancy because other sites are not reliable. Even when traditional news channels, papers, etc may follow a certain political lean, at least their info is backed by experienced workers who know the ins and outs of the field. I hope we don’t lose our traditional news outlets!!
Constable
Jun 01, 2012 @ 19:00:27
There will always be a place for traditional media. What I think is also interesting is when the credible, respected journalists and traditional news reporters use social media, which gives updates on outlets like Twitter an edge of credibility. But, as they say, “It’s important to always consider the source!”