Social media popularity does not spell end of traditional media — journalists

AMMAN — Social media outlets are increasingly becoming a popular source of news for some Jordanian journalists, who, however, believe that traditional media will remain a credible news channel. 

They told The Jordan Times Sunday that posts, photos or conversations on websites such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram sometimes can lead to story ideas or help them gauge public reaction to certain issues, adding that social media outlets have revolutionised the media landscape. 

Hatem Abbadi, managing editor at Al Rai daily, said social media tools can be beneficial for journalists “if used carefully”, explaining that information circulated in these outlets could be seeds for follow-up stories, but should not be taken for granted as trusted sources.

However, journalists can incorporate information published on the official pages of certain authorities or public figures into their stories, which saves time and effort if the shared information is sufficient and the source cannot be reached through traditional means, Abbadi noted.

The editor, who is specialised in the higher education beat, said the sector concerns young people, who are generally active on social media outlets, and so he is keen on joining relevant Facebook groups to keep abreast of issues of their concern.

But Abbadi warned that some individuals and groups may utilise social media to spread “exaggerated” ideas that could be harmful

The 2011 Arab Spring uprisings in the region prompted Al Ghad’s Samah Bibars to follow news on social media “much more often”.

“I observe social reactions on various issues and I sometimes get ideas for news stories and reports to write about,” she said.

Faisal Malkawi, chief reporter at Al Rai, said reporters at the newspaper actively follow news on social media outlets, particularly Facebook and Twitter, but they remain selective.

“Such outlets are open spaces for expression and circulation of news that requires verification from trusted sources,” Malkawi noted, highlighting fake accounts of officials as a “dangerous” phenomenon that could be used to spread rumours.

Although social media outlets are a “very significant” product of the technological revolution, they are widely used incorrectly among journalists, according to Ad-Dustour’s Awni Dawood.

The editor explained that some journalists tend to mix criticism and insults in their posts on social media, which makes them legally and socially liable.

Abbadi said social media outlets have allowed a large number of users to publish news in text, pictures and videos.

Although citizen journalism has a “very important” role in delivering news, a professional journalist’s job is to take it from there and make sure there is a newsworthy story by talking to experts and officials, he argued.

Similarly, Bibars said social media and traditional media are not mutually exclusive.

“Journalistic material with important content, whether in electronic or print media outlets, can have an imposing presence in the arena, as long as it attracts readers,” she noted.

For the majority of readers and social media users, print media is more credible, in the sense that newspapers focus on documentation and authenticity in their reports, according to Abbadi.

“A journalist adds further details to the news item, supported by background information,” he said.  

Abbadi and Dawood urged social media users to remain ethical and not use them to spread unverified news.