Online news subscriptions and social media are the new large scale mediums for news information.

 

As of the last 25 years, the world of news information has seen a shift in mediums. Newspapers, a medium that was once considered a timeless necessity, has become a thing of the past for many.

 

“Anybody under 30 right now, or under 40, doesn’t go to a newspaper first to read about stuff,” said Andy Bitter, sports writer for the Athletic. “I think even older people don’t do that anymore. I mean my dad subscribes to the newspaper, but he gets it digitally on his iPad.”

 

The trend towards a digital form of news extends even beyond online newspapers. Across different social media platforms, there are thousands of those who advertise themselves as legitimate sources for current news.

 

Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube are all great examples, but the most prevalent source of news communication is done through Facebook. According to a study conducted by the pew research center, 36% of Americans regularly get their news from Facebook. Though pervasiveness and immediacy are both positives with regards to this development, the negatives may come to outweigh them.

 

“People don’t understand where to go to get the best information,” said Travis Williams, news writer for the Virginia Tech magazine. “The best source is the person with the most authority to speak on a subject.”

 

On many occasions, the legitimacy of those who report current events on social media are called into question. Oftentimes, the self proclaimed news figure has not done enough “digging” in order to fully retell a story. Or worse, a post is made to falsify the actions or words of another. One good example of such an event happened when Donald Trump retweeted a post by self proclaimed, “independent digital information medium,” TDN Noticias.

 

“Yes, there is more information out there, but it’s harder to sift through the information that is correct,” said Bitter. “If I tweet something versus some random person who thinks that like think they know something about Virginia Tech, it’s going to look exactly the same on Twitter.”

 

Despite the overwhelming amount of inaccurate information from social media, the shift to online news continues. The large emphasis for those who are determined to acquire

news digitally is to find sources that are trustworthy.

 

When asked if it matters where one gets their news, so long as the news is accurate, Travis Williams shares his perspective.

 

“ I don't think it does,” said Williams. “I think it’s a matter of preference and accessibility and right now it’s far more accessible for most of us to look something up on our phones, or our laptops, or our iPad, than it is to go to the mailbox and pull something out that may not even be as up to date as what you have on your phone.”

 

Blacksburg, Va Sept, 22, 2021 - TikTok News: Students at Virginia Tech are practicing theirl ines for a news presentation they will upload to TikTok.

Online news subscriptions and social media are the new large scale mediums for news information.

 

As of the last 25 years, the world of news information has seen a shift in mediums. Newspapers, a medium that was once considered a timeless necessity, has become a thing of the past for many.

 

“Anybody under 30 right now, or under 40, doesn’t go to a newspaper first to read about stuff,” said Andy Bitter, sports writer for the Athletic. “I think even older people don’t do that anymore. I mean my dad subscribes to the newspaper, but he gets it digitally on his iPad.”

 

The trend towards a digital form of news extends even beyond online newspapers. Across different social media platforms, there are thousands of those who advertise themselves as legitimate sources for current news.

 

Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube are all great examples, but the most prevalent source of news communication is done through Facebook. According to a study conducted by the pew research center, 36% of Americans regularly get their news from Facebook. Though pervasiveness and immediacy are both positives with regards to this development, the negatives may come to outweigh them.

 

“People don’t understand where to go to get the best information,” said Travis Williams, news writer for the Virginia Tech magazine. “The best source is the person with the most authority to speak on a subject.”

 

On many occasions, the legitimacy of those who report current events on social media are called into question. Oftentimes, the self proclaimed news figure has not done enough “digging” in order to fully retell a story. Or worse, a post is made to falsify the actions or words of another. One good example of such an event happened when Donald Trump retweeted a post by self proclaimed, “independent digital information medium,” TDN Noticias.

 

“Yes, there is more information out there, but it’s harder to sift through the information that is correct,” said Bitter. “If I tweet something versus some random person who thinks that like think they know something about Virginia Tech, it’s going to look exactly the same on Twitter.”

 

Despite the overwhelming amount of inaccurate information from social media, the shift to online news continues. The large emphasis for those who are determined to acquire

news digitally is to find sources that are trustworthy.

 

When asked if it matters where one gets their news, so long as the news is accurate, Travis Williams shares his perspective.

 

“ I don't think it does,” said Williams. “I think it’s a matter of preference and accessibility and right now it’s far more accessible for most of us to look something up on our phones, or our laptops, or our iPad, than it is to go to the mailbox and pull something out that may not even be as up to date as what you have on your phone.”