The Rise of Social Storytellers: How TikTok Journalists Are Changing Media

You know what really bothers me? The way everyone acts like social media is some kind of miracle for journalism. Oh sure, it's all vertical stories this and immersive experiences that. Meanwhile, I'm still trying to figure out why my phone keeps showing me videos of people making elaborate cakes I'll never eat!

THE ABSURDITY OF OUR NEW MEDIA REALITY

Let me tell you something - journalism isn't what it used to be. Not that I'm nostalgic! The old days had their own problems. But at least back then, when Walter Cronkite told you something, you didn't have to wonder if he was secretly trying to sell you vitamin supplements.

We've been tracking these changes at Winsome Marketing for years now. And every two minutes, I have to update our materials because someone invented some new way to consume news that apparently makes everything else obsolete.

I was getting my hair cut last week, and my hairstylist started telling me about these theories she found on TikTok. And you know what? She knew more about certain topics than most journalists! Can you believe that? My hairstylist! What world are we living in where the person cutting my hair is more informed than people who went to journalism school?

THE SO-CALLED BENEFITS OF SOCIAL MEDIA NEWS

Oh, you want to know the benefits of getting your news from social media? Fine, I'll tell you:

First, they've got these interactive broadcasts where viewers can look at different angles and follow multiple stories at once. As if anyone has the attention span for that! I can barely focus on one story without thinking about whether I left the oven on.

Second, journalists are now leveraging community knowledge. That's a fancy way of saying they're letting random people contribute to the news. Great! Because what we really needed was more opinions from people who spend their days posting cat videos.

Third, they're building knowledge communities. Sounds like a social club if you ask me. We meet every Tuesday to discuss how celebrities are actually from another planet!

VERTICAL STORIES: BECAUSE READING IS JUST TOO DIFFICULT NOW

The vertical story format is supposedly democratizing news. You know what else democratized news? NEWSPAPERS! But nobody wants to read those anymore. No, no, now we need quick, engaging updates because apparently, we all have the attention spans of goldfish.

These stories have interactive elements and credibility scores. Oh, that makes me feel so much better! A little badge that says trust me, I'm credible. Why didn't we think of that before?

These vertical stories are supposedly changing how we consume information. But let me ask you this - is watching a 30-second video really better than reading an article? I've spent five minutes trying to read an entire news story through a series of short videos, and by the end, I've aged ten years!

AI-ASSISTED JOURNALISM: BECAUSE HUMAN ERROR WASN'T ENOUGH

Now we've got AI helping journalists. Perfect! Because if there's one thing I trust more than humans, it's algorithms designed by companies trying to keep me scrolling through their apps.

These AI systems supposedly provide personalized information streams while avoiding filter bubbles through intentional diversity injections. What does that even mean? They're going to offer me opinions I disagree with? Great! Just what I wanted - to be slightly annoyed while I'm trying to catch up on the news.

HOW TO PITCH TO THESE SOCIAL MEDIA NEWS ANCHORS

If you're trying to pitch stories to these new-age journalists, good luck! It's not like the old days where you could just send an email. No, now you need to:

1. Understand the ecosystem. I mean, keeping up with how every platform works is like trying to eat soup with a fork - exhausting but necessary. Just when you think you've figured out TikTok, there's always something new around the corner.
2. Build collaborative relationships. So now I need to network with all these content creators who somehow make a living recording themselves? Well, I suppose that's the world we live in now. These relationships actually do matter in today's media landscape.

The verification systems these platforms use are more complicated than trying to assemble furniture with instructions in a language you don't speak. You need documentation, transparency, and evidence that can withstand audience scrutiny. What happened to just telling a story? Now I need a bibliography and three forms of ID!

THE ETHICS OF MODERN MEDIA: A COMPLICATED AFFAIR

The ethical considerations in this brave new world are enough to give anyone a headache. There are cross-platform credibility metrics and community verification systems. When did consuming news become more complicated than filing taxes?

Your brand's credibility score affects how platforms treat your information. It's like a credit score, but for whether people believe you!

ALGORITHM ACCOUNTABILITY: IT'S COMPLICATED

These platforms now provide more transparency about how their algorithms work. They tell you just enough to make you think you understand, but not enough to actually do anything about it. It's like when the doctor explains a procedure using vague hand gestures.

THE FUTURE OF PUBLIC DISCOURSE: IT'S EVOLVING

Public discourse has significantly evolved. That's a diplomatic way of saying people now argue in 15-second video clips instead of thoughtful essays. Progress!

The most successful creators supposedly balance engagement with accuracy. Have you seen the internet lately? That's like saying the most successful dieters balance vegetables with cake.

WHAT THIS ALL MEANS FOR YOUR BRAND

If there's one thing we can count on, it's constant change. Just when you think you've figured out how to reach your audience, everything shifts again. It's like trying to hit a moving target while standing on one foot.

Understanding the ever-changing digital platforms is crucial for effective engagement, and sure, it's complicated - like trying to fold a fitted sheet - but that's why companies hire experts like us in the first place.

The future of media depends on balancing engagement, accuracy, transparency, and integrity. Maybe consider the radical notion of actually telling the truth. Or don't. What do I know? I'm just the gal writing this article.

Want to get ahead of these media changes without all the headaches? Check out more of our resources. Trust me, it'll save you the trouble of figuring it out yourself—and we've done most of the hard work already.