The rise of social media has had an undeniable impact on the practice of journalism as we know it. Social media has changed the way news is gathered and distributed, and has also opened up a new form of journalism, often referred to as citizen journalism. Social media has changed the way news is gathered by providing journalists with an ever-growing pool of potential sources. Social media has made it easier for journalists to quickly reach out to people and establish a dialogue. This has made it easier to find and verify sources, as well as uncover stories that may have otherwise gone unnoticed. Social media has also changed the way news is distributed. Traditional methods of news delivery (i.e. newspapers, television and radio) have been replaced by more instantaneous forms of communication (i.e. Twitter, Facebook, etc.). This has allowed news to spread more quickly than ever before, and has given journalists the ability to reach a much larger audience. Finally, social media has enabled the rise of citizen journalism, which is defined as “news and information produced, gathered, and distributed by non-professional journalists.” This form of journalism has been made possible by the accessibility of social media platforms. Citizen journalists are often the first to report on breaking news, and can provide important perspectives that professional journalists may overlook. In conclusion, the rise of social media has had a profound impact on the practice of journalism. It has changed the way news is gathered and distributed, and has opened up new opportunities for citizen journalists. As social media continues to evolve, so too will the practice of journalism.
