Polarization is a worldwide phenomenon, and social media has a big part to play in it. But how can traditional media combat this phenomenon? And do they stand any chance in the fight against misinformation spread widely on social media platforms?

I think that journalism will play the defining role in the battle against disinformation on social media, and ultimately polarization. You could compare it to a deadly disease that has to be cured, and it has to be done quickly and efficiently. In this case social media is the disease, polarization is the deadly symptom and qualitative journalism may be the cure. But like any cure, it has to work.

A result of polarization: the German elections

If you just look at the recent elections in Germany, we have a clear example of polarization. 

The AFD, Germany’s far right party, used multiple social media platforms, especially X, to broaden their influence. And it was effective. The party got a record 10 million votes, making it the second-largest party in the German parliament.

© Elon Musk on X

But also on the other end of the political spectrum you had a remarkable rise in the number of voters. Die Linke, a left wing party in Germany, won over many young Germans through platforms such as TikTok, marking a remarkable comeback and securing the party over 60 seats in parliament.

Social media as a main source of newsgathering

While television is still the main source for news consumption, social media is quickly gaining ground. Around 37 percent of people use social media as a primary news source. And that brings its own risks. 

Although you’ll find more and more traditional news outlets on various platforms, which deliver reliable news, there has also been a rise of independent news content creators who often spread misinformation. This increase in misinformation has led to a more polarized world environment.

A rabbit hole filled with misinformation?

Social media is a rabbit hole that can go on forever. People get absorbed into their own bubbles, with information tailored especially to them by the algorithm. These bottomless pits of information where people find themselves in, are filled with misinformation and disinformation. False information that they like, which they are more likely to believe. 

And this is where journalism comes into play. 

Can journalism save us or are we doomed?

Good journalism could work as an equalizer. From fact-checking under posts that spread misinformation to providing qualitative journalism that people understand. I think that’s a big part of the solution. An ingredient for a cure. We need to give people a reason to start believing in traditional journalism, again. And this could be a perfect start.

But journalism isn’t the only ingredient needed to fight misinformation and polarization. 

As mentioned before, many traditional news outlets are now on social media and they can have a fact-checking role, but most of the time these posts are simply not shown to users because of the algorithm. Making it so the algorithm shows more news outlets to everyone, could be a key piece to solving the puzzle.

So, are we doomed? Well, social media has to evolve to a more neutral platform if we’d ever want a chance at combating misinformation and polarization. Qualitative, neutral and understandable journalism that’s spread by the algorithm to everyone could be a big part of a solution. But only time will tell if we’ll ever be able to combat misinformation and its effects and if journalism could be used against it.

Text: Aagje Van Raemdonck
Photo: © Aagje Van Raemdonck