Bias and The News Explained

Based on statistics from the Pew Research Center, the cable news audience is shrinking. According to their research, the median viewership in a 24-hour period for Fox News Channel, CNN and MSNBC combined dropped 7% in 2014 to 1.8 million. There could be a number of reasons for this...perhaps it is because cable news now has to compete with the devices in our pockets (which make it so much more efficient to stay informed).

Another possibility is the bias that exists in cable news today, as well as the amount of speculation that happens during a typical broadcast.

We do play a part in this, and it relates back to instant gratification: we like to know whats happening immediately and we want all the facts. But sometimes, the case is that these networks do not know all the facts yet.

In order to be the first to release details about a story, many times networks will spend time guessing what happened and attempting to pass this off as factual. For example, they will sometimes look at limited images on their screens and attempt to make observations which many times are untrue.

John Stewart often pointed out the discrepancies with Fox News' statements as the host of the Daily Show.

 We have the resources to fact check these networks, and see how often the statements they make are false. Based on PunditFact's Truth-O-Meter, 45% of claims made by NBC and MSNBC were found to be false. CNN was at 22%, while Fox News was in the lead for discrepancies with 58%.

Hopefully this points out why fact-checking is important, and as modern consumers of media we can't just believe everything we hear.

Can We Auto-Correct Humanity?

This video by Prince Ea eloquently shares his perspective on our constant use of technology and the way it impacts our lives. Though there are certainly positive uses for technology, he illustrates the point that we need to keep our usage in check before we are overpowered by our devices.

I can relate to many of his sentiments. Many people forget to live in the moment when they are out with friends and are totally absorbed by their phones.

I think we have come to expect an escape from our technology. It is as though we can move into an alternate reality if we become bored or are feeling awkward in a social situation. It has become socially acceptable to stare at our phones rather than engage with people around us.

The best thing we can do to mend this is to be mindful of it. We have power over our devices, and when used correctly they can actually enhance our lives...but they should never replace actual human interaction.

Social Media and The Pull of Instant Gratification

People want things--and they want them now. It's called instant gratification and it's a powerful force. This desire has existed since the beginning of time...but with new technology, specifically the use of social media, this need is being fed constantly. Because of this, our expectations of the media have increased.

When you look into the psychology behind instant gratification, it makes sense that social media panders to this desire that is so ingrained within us. 

What is it? 

Exactly what it sounds like. Instant gratification is the desire to feel pleasure immediately. In the long run, it is better to eat a balanced meal rather than gorging yourself with candy. But because candy is so good, it will give you a rush of pleasure. If you eat a balanced meal, you will feel the gratification later. That's not to say that instant gratification is all bad, but like anything it needs to be experienced in moderation. 

Instant gratification is fueled by social media...

Especially because we have constant access to it with our phones. When we post, we get immediate feedback which comes with a sense of validation. Social media is an extension of who we are, as well as a way for us to use our networks as mirrors.

The rush you feel from getting likes and comments is comparable to a candy binge. It feels great immediately, but ultimately it's not that fulfilling.

How does this change our expectations of mass media? 

In more ways than one. Not only do we expect more of mass media, we take on some of the responsibilities ourselves. 

Think about the world we live in... How difficult is it for us to get in the loop about a news story? All you need to do is pull out your smartphone and you are informed. We don't need to chase information as it is always readily available to us. 

We are becoming mass media...it's a chain reaction. Our posting to our networks can spread infinitely and become viral. We create news and share it with others because of the rush we get from sharing.

Media, our expectations of it, and its impact on the culture is rapidly changing. Sometimes we need to take a break from all of our networks and observe it.

Social Media: Making a Splash

In this TED Talk, Alexis Ohanian, one of the creators of Reddit, discusses the ways that audience participation can help to "make a splash" on social media. He uses the example of Greenpeace when they held a vote to name one of the whales they adopted--and "Mister Splashy Pants" got so many up-votes on Reddit that it landed on the "front page". Because of this enormous response and popularity of the name, Greenpeace began to make merchandise featuring Mister Splashy Pants, and the support from audiences grew. Eventually, the whale was given this name thanks to social media.

What a testament to the power that our networks can have on real world outcomes. This story goes to show that a lot can be accomplished and changed through social media. Social media experts have the ability to do something sensational, create a movement, all by posting something that gains enough traction.

How can we keep up with media's evolution?

What does the future of media hold? There is quite a bit of speculation, illustrated well by this New York Times article, in which Eric Pfanner paints a picture of the New Digital Age. There have been many predictions, but of this we can be certain: change is inevitable.

Digital technology has allowed everyone to create and share content. With a world full of publishers, it has become increasingly essential for digital communicators to differentiate themselves from the pack.

Thanks to our social networks, our messages have the ability to be shared with thousands of people all over the world. In order to extend the reach of a message, digital communicators must be familiar with different platforms, and feel comfortable adapting their messages to fit.



We have much more access to a wider audience, but how do we get a message across that will stick? Take Twitter for example- massive social movements have budded out of this platform and raised awareness for so many different causes. #JeSuisCharlie is an excellent recent example that supported French freedom of speech and freedom of the press after a massacre at a satirical newspaper.

Taking calculated risks is the job of social media experts, advertisers and journalists alike. Social networks can be looked at as data analysis. By measuring the positive responses different approaches have, it is possible to fine tune what we share as communication professionals. It is important to try new things, because people are getting accustomed to rapid changes.

4 Important Skills for Social Media Professionals

There is no doubt in anyone's mind that social media is changing our society. It changes how we communicate with each other and how we receive information. It has also impacted how we interact with the news, advertising and public relations.

Any social media specialist, advertiser or journalist would tell you that there is a new and tremendous pressure to share information faster than ever. We are consuming information at an accelerated pace, and it is on digital communicators, not only to keep up, but to keep improving.

1. Listening 


This cannot be stressed enough. Listen to the demands of your audience. You can't expect to continue posting the same content in the same way and get the same great results. Technology is shifting, people are moving with it. Being able to effectively observe the patterns as they evolve was never claimed an easy task, but it will make all the difference.

2. Strategy Planning 

We have so much at our fingertips with social media. Each of your pages' followers has their own network, and each of their friends have their own network--and so on. What we share has endless possibilities of reach. Before posting, it is important to have a game plan. When a new story breaks, there is going to be pressure to release it instantly. Knowing ahead of time what your strategy will be for situations like this is going to increase efficiency and save you from added stress.

3. Adaptability 

This goes without saying. In the past 10 years we have all had to adapt to the emergence of new, popular social platforms and new demographics of followers. We need to be quick learners, and dedicate ourselves to understanding new social platforms so they can be used to our advantage.

4. Creativity 

Creativity, originality---this is what draws people in. There is a massive amount of content out there, and much of it is entirely derivative. By possessing creativity, you are always equipped to imagine new ideas and you will create more of a ripple. Social media encourages different types of content to be shared, so be creative! Use your imagination, and it is bound to be a major asset to you as a digital communicator.