Many people judge journalists today when they try to get their articles liked. You think it is pathetic – I think you don’t understand. 

If a hundred years ago newspapers were the boom of the era, I don’t think young people today  recognize themselves in their lines. With the power to inform and shape public opinion, journalists try more and more to catch their audience’s attention.

Respecting today’s trends and trying to provide the necessary information, many media outlets experiment with different formats online. This puts a lot of pressure on young journalists. As a consequence of the today’s digital dynamics, dinosaur newspaper format has shifted to an online one or even to an email newsletter, which readers can subscribe to.

Even though most young people in EU gather their news information through alternatives the new age offer, people are still worried about the future of journalism. But should they be?

Times have changed and the new obsession today is social media with all the “journalistic” opportunities it provides. As you know, keeping up with social media has its positive and negative sides.

It is no secret that we cannot escape from it today – the question is not whether to use it but how to do so responsibly. Here, likes and trends come into play.

Young generation of journalists, and not only them, also try to make news more accessible. In the new social media era, not only have the format and style of news changed, but so have the roles in the newsroom. Most successful media companies have an online editor who selects which news gets published on social media.

Selecting what to share on Facebook, for example, is not that easy – one should consider which news is in the audience’s interest, at what time it is mostly read or even how many articles should be shared. And here it comes – the likes matter. Most decisions are made based on like statistics or ongoing trends online, but does that always make them relevant?

Did you know that you can post only a limited number of articles on social media daily because otherwise you will overwhelm people? That’s why selection is important and competitive. I thought it was as simple as a child’s game: the more articles you publish, the better chance you have of being seen. Well, apparently, it’s not that simple –  one should be strategic in choosing which articles would hit the mark.

Actually, social media is extremely helpful for making news “trendy” and for better or worse – most young people today read articles just because they saw a teaser on social media first. It might sound pathetic but social media platforms expose people to a variety of different news outlets, giving them a chance to come across news they might never encounter otherwise.

It is true that the competition to get your article liked can make it seem like that is all that matters. It might seem as if the fight to get it published wasn’t enough, now journalists are also fighting to be liked and shared. Don’t get me wrong –  journalism is much more than likes themselves on Facebook or views on Instagram – the only thing that makes them matter is the meaning behind the number.

Let’s not forget that likes represent people’s interest – isn’t that our job? And if so, why is it so judged?

It might seem pitiful when journalists try to get their articles liked, but that’s not because they enjoy the fame – it’s because it means people care. Why is it so bad to cover what matters?

Text: Elif Sabri
Photo: Elif Sabri