The impact of the web and social media on the delivery of “news”

More and more, I find myself watching television newscasts and thinking, “This is old news.” As a smartphone user and an admitted social media junkie, I follow a select group of prominent news media outlets via Twitter. I regularly check my Twitter feed each day – most often in the evening – so by the time I’m watching the 10 p.m. or 11 p.m. news (or the morning news programs the following day), the vast majority of the stories are “old news” to me – even many of the human interest pieces.

With the delivery of news in real time via the web and social media platforms to our tablets and smartphones, I wonder:  are TV news broadcasts and newspapers becoming obsolete? Think about how revolutionary CNN was to the delivery of news back in 1980; it was the first and only channel dedicated to round-the-clock news coverage. Similarly, the web/social media and the widespread adoption of tablets and smartphones have revolutionized the way we receive news and gather information.

While researching for this blog, I found an article entitled, “How Social Media Is Taking Over the News Industry” – which reports these impactful statistics:

• More than 50% of people have learned of breaking news via social media rather than official news sources.
• 46% of people get their news online at least three times per week.
• Social media has become one of the top news sources.

Consider this recent headline, which highlights the electronic media’s impact on one of the largest metro daily newspapers in the US: Times-Picayune in New Orleans cuts publication to 3 days a week; and recall the ABC News announcement last fall: ABC News, Yahoo! News Announce Online Alliance. Both recognize the influence of the Internet and social media, more specifically, on the delivery of news.

As “media” evolves from the traditional print and broadcast platforms to include and embrace online news outlets, blogs and social media, so too must we as public relations professionals adapt and evolve the way we practice our craft. Before email, we used to fax press releases and mail press kits and B-roll packages to media outlets. Now, we can share materials – including video – via the web and social media. Stories are reported in real time, and popular items go viral, touching audiences far beyond those reached by “traditional” media outlets.

Media relations is part art, part science, and we at Domus do it every day on behalf of our clients. Adapting to the evolving world of media and embracing new technologies and social media platforms is our forte. Let our trusted team of public relations practitioners help you capitalize on these opportunities and deliver results that matter.

Amy Whilldin is an Account Director at Domus, Inc., a marketing communications agency based in Philadelphia. For more information, visit http://www.domusinc.com/. For new business inquiries, please contact CEO and founder of Domus, Inc. Betty Tuppeny at betty.tuppeny@domusinc.com or 215-772-2805.