By Shakil Jan
SWAT: In the rapidly evolving media landscape of Pakistan, social media and mainstream media journalists are playing vital roles in keeping the public informed. With the rise of the internet and social media platforms, while mainstream media may be losing some of its allure, social media journalists are experiencing an expansion in viewership.
The advent of the internet and digital gadgets has completely changed the media paradigm, accelerating the flow of information abruptly. Since the prevalence of social media, the consumption of news has not only accelerated but also expanded.
After the rise in internet use in Pakistan, electronic media and social media have gained immense popularity, attracting millions of consumers. These mediums have become essential for the flow of information, with electronic and social media gaining their audiences according to their style of news and information. Facebook, in particular, has become the main medium of news for the people of Swat.
Readers of the mainstream media said that before the advent of social media, they used only mainstream media, including TV, newspapers, and radio, for news. “But since the rise of social media and applications like TikTok, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, social media has become the main hub of information for people,” said Fazal Khaliq, a local journalist, adding that social media has become the primary source of news for people, with many believing it is a good and quick way of getting news.
However, according to professional media journalists, though social media has a massive flow of information, the majority of news on social media are not verified and is often fake.
Waqar Khan, a journalist with three years of field experience, said that social media journalists and electronic media journalists have different skill sets and approaches, but they complement each other in keeping the public informed. Social media journalists provide raw, unfiltered information straight from the source, while electronic media journalists offer a more refined and researched perspective.
Senior journalists and journalism teachers agree that both electronic and social media are essential for the dissemination of news. Dr. Rafiullah, a PhD in journalism with seven years of field experience, highlighted that social media journalists are skilled in using software to verify fake photos and videos, while electronic media journalists conduct in-depth research and provide comprehensive coverage of stories.
On the other hand, social media journalists believe that professional training is not necessary for spreading or posting news. Hamza Hussain, a social media journalist and content creator, emphasized that a good camera and a good internet connection are enough to make or cover a story on social media. Salman Khan, another social media journalist, believes that a degree is not the key to journalism; having good skills or experience is fair enough for social media journalism.
He further said that professional journalists conduct in-depth research and provide comprehensive coverage of stories. They offer a more refined and researched perspective, which complements the raw information provided by social media journalists.
According to research titled “Evaluating the Effects of Violent Media Content on Students’ Behaviour and Academic Performance,” younger generations tend to rely on social media for news due to its rapid flow of information, whereas older adults tend to strike a balance between social media and traditional media sources for their news, seeking a more comprehensive perspective.
A local social media user, Talha Subhan, who has been online for a long time, consumes content from both social media and electronic media journalists. He appreciates the diversity of information sources and believes that both types of journalists play vital roles in keeping him informed and up-to-date on current events.
Despite several shortcomings of both social and mainstream media in Pakistan, it is a valid fact that both are indispensable to each other. This is why both social media and mainstream media journalists are complementary forces for news dissemination, providing a well-rounded understanding of the world around us. While social media journalists provide quick and high-flow information, mainstream media journalists offer a more refined and researched perspective.
Experts believe that people need to understand the positive aspects of both mediums and maintain a balance between them.
