How EM holds its own as a reliable source on social media

You can get your news from just about anywhere. From your neighbour, your family and friends, social media, or a journalistic outlet. But not all sources are equal – especially in today’s news landscape. It’s a challenge for EM too to hold its ground. Because after a day of scrolling, messaging and reading newsletters, who still remembers where they got their (reliable) information from?

This question crossed my mind while we were teaching our new cohort of students the basics of journalism. Several of them could still recall reading certain news items on social media, but not who the original source was.

Later that week, I attended the Dutch Journalism Festival in Deventer, which was held for the first time this year. There, I joined a session hosted by journalism students from Windesheim University of Applied Sciences, where journalists in the room engaged in a dialogue with ‘the public’ – in this case, a row of ‘ordinary people’ who shared their experiences of news consumption.

Polarisering tone

When asked where they got their news from, they mentioned not only newspapers and TV, but also social media. And they were quick to criticise the polarising tone of social media, calling on journalists to strive for greater objectivity.

Once again, social media were cited as a source of news, not as a carrier – like a newspaper, TV programme or social media account run by a journalistic outlet. But that’s like equating a newspaper with a shopping list or an advertising leaflet, simply because all three are printed on paper and contain information.

Confusion

Still, I understand the confusion. With the rise of the internet and social media, identifying reliable sources of information has become increasingly difficult. Why would you trust one influencer but not another? Or should you never take an influencer at face value? Meanwhile, professional journalistic outlets are also venturing onto social media to reach younger audiences and make some kind of impact in the flood of fake news and non-information on those platforms.

EM, too, cannot avoid having a presence on Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn. Eight years ago, when we noticed our print magazine was barely being picked up by students (and staff), we shifted more of our focus to where the news was actually being consumed: online. And in doing so, EM became part of that vast digital mishmash of gossip, cat videos and reliable information.

Valid method

The only way to stand out as a reliable journalistic outlet is by using a valid method, double-checking the sources of your information, and being transparent about them in your work.

That may sound bombastic, but it’s something we can explain to our students in very practical terms: one source is no source, so always verify what someone claims; don’t use anonymous sources unless absolutely necessary; don’t mix facts with opinions; and be reliable and stick to your agreements.

Only by doing so is EM not just a carrier of news, but a source of news. A reliable source.