The impact of utilizing trendy apps like TikTok for the future of journalism
This popular app has paved a new path for journalists in a positive light.
There have been so many different shifts in the world of journalism in regards into how news has been shared in these past two decades. There is no surprise when a lot of print media and newspaper companies jump at the opportunity to climb aboard the popular ship of applications like Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok.
With these new advances in technology, it is always essential to move along with the progressions that are made to ensure the most communication has been shared from newspapers or print media companies to readers.
Remember the transition from radio to television that transpired in the 20th century?
This is a little similar to what is currently occurring in the present day with how news is delivered via applications like TikTok in the world of journalism.
Some journalists encourage to hop on the ride to fun and trendy apps like TikTok, while others are not so enthusiastic about this change.
“Before TikTok, Dave Jorgenson dealt in more traditional web videos — which he still produces in addition to his TikTok responsibilities. But when he heard about TikTok last year, Jorgenson instantly thought that the Post should join in, and he decided to pitch his higher-ups. “He truly came with a full stash of research, and he’d spent a lot of time, and it impressed me instantly how much he passionately believed in it,” said Michelle Jaconi, in Scott Never’s, article about the Tik Tok explosion in journalism.
The thought in where it is believed that TikTok will not work is majority due to the idea that it is a “teenager kids” app. Although the number of older people are beginning to utilize it as well has been on the rise.
“USC’s Robert Hernandez said TikTok is a viable platform for communicating with large audiences, especially audiences that don’t typically consume journalism content. But, he doesn’t think the app will hit the mass adoption level of Facebook, which has about 2.7 billion monthly active users, compared to TikTok’s 732 million active users. There’s a content creation hurdle; though typically less than a minute long, it takes time to splice together a video and incorporate catchy audio, especially if you’re hoping to go viral,” said Eliana Miller, a writer for Poynter. You can read her full article here.
Just like that saying goes, change is good right?
Right?
Adam Tinworth, a writer, mentions a solid point in regards to the shifts of online journalism. “News innovation is struggling because we’ve lost sight of the purpose of journalism. It’s about informing people, allowing them to live better lives and make better decisions. It is not about serving some abstract platonic news ideal. I’ve often articulated this as the “tyranny of print” — the brutal demands of the print deadline or broadcast slot necessitating standard formats that allow timely production. Digital explodes those constraints, and yet we still stay wedded to those formats.”
This major reason is that there is this invisible pressure to have this immaculate presence when it comes to providing news in journalism via applications. Yes, journalism has to be spotless in its presentation, you know you have to make sure all those facts are correct and all. But, when it comes to presenting news with the usage of trendy applications the rules can be bent a bit to allow a fresh and funky perspective in its deliverance.
Another small reason is that the struggle is due to the younger generations spending more time on social media and not getting their source of news from the television or radio station.
The purpose in applications like TikTok are to engage in an entertaining and unique way that gets straight to the point with no ceremonies involved.
“When asked whether TikTok offers anything more than just brand building, Dave Jorgenson was unequivocal in his answer. “TikTok is journalism in every sense,” he said. “Pretty much every other TikTok has something news related in it and with that we are delivering news to the users. That’s what journalism is — delivering news however you are able to in a responsible way,” said Pierre de Villiers, a writer for What’s New In Publishing.
Journalism can be delivered in a new perspective within TikTok. Although, it must be curated in a specific way for the younger audience to be fully immersed in it.
