So, what would you rather? A news influencer interested in monetising your screentime or a journalist building their online presence trying to inform you? 

The other day I was looking at TikTok’s most watched news sources last year and I was confronted with a name I didn’t recognise: ‘act2ality’. If you are not familiar as well, it’s a Spanish online news platform that reports news and, additionally, has some entertainment content. This page comes in sixth place, but maybe there are more prominent names you might recognise, like UK’s one and only Dylan Page, aka ‘News Daddy’.  

To my surprise after some very mild research (and honestly a bit of stalking), I figured out that none of these highly watched TikTokers have a journalistic background. It is true that to be considered a journalist you do not need to necessarily have a specific bachelor’s degree, but can we be sure that these news influencers are aware of the ‘burdens’ of being a journalist? 

@dylan.pageDo you think sanctions on Russia will help negotiations or not? 🤔♬ original sound – Dylan Page

For the last couple of months in my own journalistic learning journey, I am constantly being reminded of the tight rope a journalist needs to walk every time they report on a subject. Reporting on a matter is not just rephrasing some sentences from another news outlet or even from a press release.

There is a big need for critical thinking and not only regarding to the information we just acquired, but, as well, with how we relate to that same information. From cultural aspects to political sympathies, all needs to be considered for an objective and just report.  

More than that, let’s see the example of ‘act2ality’. I visited their website to try to understand what their values and motivations are. So here I am on the about section. I read how they are the leaders in news aimed at gen Z, how they have millions of views and there it is a big button that says, ‘know more’. And knowing more was indeed my goal.  To my bewilderment, I land myself on a page with bold lettering reading, ‘We will make everyone talk about you’. Very much directed to brands and, as I scroll down, it becomes more evident that it is directed at brand promotion.  

This made me think, are they an advertising/content creation platform or do they really want to inform young people about what is going on in the world? 

Can news influencers be held accountable for any wrongdoings that might come along?

In 2020, besides the numerous outrageous events that took place, in Portugal, on the evening news, the opening news causes uproar. There was a viral New York Times cover image on Twitter that in the headline reads: ‘Portugal will have a collective suicide party called “Avante” with 33,000 guests.’ 

For context, Avante is organised every year by the Portuguese Communist Party as their way to re-enter the political year. Most parties do some type of event, in this case it is a festival-ish type one.  

As to be expected this raised a lot of debate. To our surprise the next day, the news outlet issued a statement apologising for their mistake. This image was in fact fake. To make sure that they maintained public trust they deconstructed the previous report and fact-checked it. In truth, the New York Times referred to this festival, but because of it being held despite the Covid-19 crisis.  

This little story provides us with a bit of insight on accountability.  A news outlet or even a journalist, has the duty to clarify when they get something wrong. 

Everyone working in a newsroom is accountable for what you see, listen or read in the comfort of your home or whatever place you are. All these people are actively working against the clock, so you get your news piping hot, but NEVER neglecting accuracy.  

With news influencers can we get the certainty that they can be held accountable for their mistakes? It is possible that we get the typical apology video, a sole tear going down their face, pledging to do better, recording themselves speaking three seconds at a time and, of course, those cringey jump cuts.  

What about journalism students, like me, that are navigating in this crazy social media dependent world? 

It seems rather petty of me to now write that journalists should be the only people allowed to create news content online. In fact, not me or anyone can control who does what online.  

Still, the reality for a freshly graduated journalist facing the ruthless newsrooms of the world is quite grim. As it is increasingly more difficult to find a little corner desk in one of those, social media can be the starting point for many of us to build our platform and portfolio. More importantly, for you, that are scrolling, you have the guarantee of being informed by someone that is aware and complying with a code of ethics. 

So at the end what would you rather?

Text: Ana Fernandes
Photo: © Ana Fernandes