How New Media Is Transforming News Consumption Globally

The days when the latest news could be gotten from the old man in town, sitting on his rocking chair with the evening newspaper in hand and a radio by his side, are slowing ebbing a way. The traditional methods have now been replaced by digital media which literally brings news to an audience at their fingertips. News can be viewed off mobile devices from the internet and mobile applications.

Reuters Digital News Report for 2018 showed a huge decline in television as a critical source of news for many. One question comes to mind, where does this teeming population of young people and old people alike get news and information from? In a recent survey reported by Forbes Media it was gathered that 50% of individuals surveyed revealed that they hear about the latest news via social media before ever hearing about it on a news station. This indicates that the consumers are largely social media driven. It is no longer enough for media houses to have well written news articles on print media or excellent orators as news presenters. There is a need to explore the use of social media and engaging blog posts in the dissemination of news content.

Survey also showed a 57% increase in traffic to news sites referred from social media. Content on digital media platforms promoted on social media tend to receive the most engagement. But, these readers are still not done changing how news is consumed.

An average visitor on a news website or blog would only read an article for 15 seconds or even less. Media houses now have to put in extra effort into crafting engaging news content. The art of storytelling has become increasingly useful in keeping visitors viewing news on digital media.

Consumers have shifted from traditional methods of consuming news (i.e print media and even television). With the availability of digital media brought closer through mobile devices and the internet, they now require engaging and round-the-clock news content. Social media is a favorite for most people, with posts from friends dictating the kind of news people are fed with. Sadly, this has ushered in the rise of a new kind of problem, ‘fake news’. Digital media is currently one of the greatest tools used for proliferation of fake news. Statistics also show that consumers do not trust the news from these digital platforms and would sometimes seek confirmation from print media.

The way consumers view and receive news has experienced paradigm shift in recent times. It is only wise for media houses to study the trends and make necessary adjustments.