Faculty of Social Science and Liberal Arts

SM348 Mass Communication Research 2

Research proposal

The impact of social media on modern journalism

Presented By

Mahmudul Hasan Ankon Chowdhury

1002058765

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Table of Contents
Chapter 1........................................................................................................................................................................................ 3

Introduction....................................................................................................................................... 3
1.1 Research Background............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 4

1.2 Problem statement.................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 7

1.3 Research questions................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 7

1.4 Research objectives................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 8

1.5 Research Hypothesis.............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 8

Chapter 2........................................................................................................................................................................................ 8

2.1 Introduction................................................................................................................................. 8

2.2 Concepts Review....................................................................................................................... 10

2.2.1 Concept of the social media............................................................................................................................................................................................... 10

2.2.2 The Media Concept........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 17

Concept of the Journalism.......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 21

2.2.4 The Concept of Modern Journalism................................................................................................................................................................................... 24

2.3 Review of the Related Studies................................................................................................... 25

2.3.1 Ruth, A. H. (2010, vol. 2 No.3). Social Media Revolution: Exploring the Impact on........................................................................................................ 25

2.4 Theoretical Framework.............................................................................................................. 27

2.5 Literature Summary Review...................................................................................................... 29

CHAPTER THREE.....................................................................................................................................................................29

3.1 Introduction............................................................................................................................... 29

3.2 Research Design........................................................................................................................ 29

3.3 Population of Study................................................................................................................... 30

3.4 Sampling Technique/ Sample Size............................................................................................ 30

3.5 Description of Research Instrument........................................................................................... 31

3.6 Validity of Data Gathering Instrument......................................................................................31

3.7 Method of Data Collection........................................................................................................ 31

3.8 Method of Data Analysis........................................................................................................... 32

References:.................................................................................................................................................................................... 33

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 Research Title:

The impact of social media on modern journalism

Chapter 1
Introduction
Over the past few years, social media has played a vital role in the coverage and reporting of news
and current events.. Social media platforms have transformed the way journalism is practiced in
the modern era, from reporting breaking news stories to providing live coverage of political
events. The objective of this paper is to examine the influence of social media on contemporary
journalism by evaluating its benefits and drawbacks.

On the plus side, social media has opened up new opportunities for reporters and citizen
journalists alike. The ability to quickly disperse news and engage a global audience in real-time
makes it an invaluable tool for getting information out to the public. Journalists no longer have to
be on the ground to report a story, as they can access eyewitness accounts, images, and other data
instantaneously. It has also provided an increased platform for marginalized voices, giving them
visibility and an outlet for their stories that previously didn’t exist.

Nevertheless, there are also risks linked with utilizing social media for journalistic objectives. In the
present-day scenario, where social media has a considerable impact on news coverage, these dangers
cannot be ignored., it can be challenging to authenticate the accuracy of the information being
shared. There are several instances where false accounts, manipulated images, and
sensationalized headlines have led to the spread of misinformation at a rapid pace, making it
difficult for individuals to discern the truth from fiction. In addition, news organisations may
favour stories with higher engagement above those with greater relevance or significance, which
puts pressure on reporters to produce information that is more likely to "go viral" than correct.

In conclusion, there is no doubt that social media has both pros and cons for modern journalism.
It has provided a new platform for disseminating information and amplifying unheard voices
while presenting potential challenges such as the veracity of reports. Regardless, it is clear that
this new technological landscape has irrevocably changed the way news is reported around the
world.

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1.1 Research Background

The dominance of social media on modern journalism has had a profound and far-reaching effect
on the way our news is gathered and communicated to the world. Media is no longer the sole
domain of large news outlets or established journalists; now, anyone can broadcast news,
commentary or opinion around the globe instantly through social media networks. Social media
has opened up a new way of engaging with news, reaching audiences that traditional outlets may
not have been able to, and allowing media outlets to remain competitive in a crowded landscape.

Before the rise of social media, news media was much more exclusive. Journalists would
produce content that was primarily printed and distributed across publications, radio and
television broadcasts. The content was only accessible to those within the geographic proximity
of the broadcast or those who purchased or subscribed to the publication. Established media
outlets with access to staff, resources, and large budgets had a competitive advantage. They were
able to dedicate more resources to gathering their news, fact checking it and presenting it in a
compelling and informative way.

The arrival of social media has completely changed the news industry's scenery, revolutionizing
the techniques of gathering, presenting, and consuming news. With just an internet connection,
anyone can now disseminate news, opinions, and updates, which have the potential to reach a
vast global audience within seconds. Social media platforms enable the acquisition of news from
a diverse range of sources, empowering readers to create their own interpretations of a story or
gain access to unique perspectives. Moreover, social media facilitates direct communication
between news creators and consumers, which results in greater interactivity and feedback.

The dominance of social media on modern journalism has also been profound with respect to
those who create news content. Professional journalists are often required to obtain sources,
verify facts and research before publishing a story. These efforts now occur in the public eye of
social media in real-time. News outlets must remain competitive, selecting stories that are
relevant to the reader and released quickly, while still verifying facts. As well, outlets must
engage with their audience on multiple platforms to remain visible amongst the millions of
sources.

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The new environment poses a challenge to established news outlets; however, those that have
adapted have seen increasing viewership due to the large and engaged audience found on
common social platforms.

In conclusion, the rise of digital platforms has revolutionized the domain of modern journalism,
causing unprecedented transformations in the dissemination and consumption of news. The
proliferation of online networks has resulted in a surge of news sources, granting people access
to a wide array of perspectives and viewpoints. Furthermore, it has sparked intense competition
among media outlets, with each endeavoring to break news first and capture a larger audience.
The impact of digital social media on communication is also profound. Back in the days,
communication between nations was limited by physical presence. Journalists would need to
travel to a location, conduct an interview and quickly return to the newsroom to meet printing
deadlines. With the internet, however, journalists can report on news from anywhere in the
world. The evolution of communication technology has always been accompanied by advances
in the way people interact with each other. Pictographs, the earliest form of written
communication, were created in ancient times and laid the foundation for written language. With
each new development, communication has evolved, culminating in the digital age, which has
brought about a new phase of communication expansion. As new cutting-edge technologies and
discoveries emerge, the way people communicate continues to evolve.

The growth of innovative communication technologies has had a remarkable impact on

journalism. The invention of the printing press in the 15th century, enabled by the discovery of
paper, papyrus, and wax, made it possible to transfer texts from one location to another and
maintain consistency over long distances. Now, in the present era, electronic technology, such as
electronic waves and signals, has once again transformed communication, resulting in
widespread use of the World Wide Web for electronic generation and transfer of documents. In
today's world, social media, a form of electronic communication, is the most popular platform
for communication. Social networking sites have been specifically designed to enable individuals
to exchange ideas and to keep one updated with family, as well as colleagues. These social
platforms have transformed the way people access, read, and share news, reflecting a significant
shift in the way information is disseminated. It has also transformed content consumers into
content producers, with the democratisation of information.

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Social media sites allow users to connect with one another, exchange information and engage in
debates using various forms of multimedia, such as text, images, videos, and audio. To grasp the
full extent of the subject under study, Mainstream media finds it essential to delve into the brief
history of social media.

Social media has a captivating history that has progressed rapidly in recent times. Earlier forms of
social media, such as chat rooms and message boards, allowed individuals to connect with others
who shared similar interests. As technology advanced, dating websites came into existence, and
platforms such as Classmate.com enabled people to reconnect with former acquaintances from high
school and college. Friendster was among the first social media sites to gain popularity, but it
eventually lost users due to technical issues and an abundance of fake accounts. Myspace, which
launched in 1999, gained recognition in 2003 and expanded to 115 million users worldwide. It
allowed members to upload profiles, images, blogs, videos, and other media. In 2005, Rupert
Murdoch's News Corporation bought MySpace for $580 million.

Journalism, in essence, entails a deliberate and conscientious endeavour to collect information, gather
data, and analyze it with the aim of informing, educating, and entertaining the public so that they can
make well-informed judgments. The act of reporting, covers a wide range of topics, from political
and corporate institutions to cultural and social aspects like the arts and entertainment.
Documentary, photojournalism, and editing are also part of the realm of journalism. Despite the
diversity of formats, the goal of journalism is to inform the audience on a variety of topics.

The impact of societal media platforms on modern journalism has been profound as well as far-
reaching. Social platforms have expanded the sources of news, provided unprecedented levels of
access to information, and created competition among media outlets. The advent of the digital age
has brought about a substantial shift in the responsibilities of journalists. Journalists can now report
on events from all over the world without physically attending them. The emergence of the
internet and other information and communication technologies initiated a new phase of growth in
the field of communication studies. The evolution of communication technology has always been
accompanied by advances in communication, and modern technological developments like the
internet have led to a new phase of communication expansion.

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1.2 Problem statement
The impact of social media on the world of journalism has been immense and undeniable. It has
revolutionized the way journalists work and the way news stories are created and disseminated.
Undoubtedly, social media has brought about many positive changes, but there are also concerns
about its impact on productivity and whether it interferes with the regular working procedures of
journalists. The fact remains that social media has become an integral part of the media industry,
and many people working in this sector rely on it to run their businesses.

The media landscape, especially in journalism, has undergone significant changes due to the
emergence of the internet and social media over the past two decades. With the introduction of
24/7 online media and the rise of social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and
Instagram, the way journalists conduct their work and how news is consumed by the public has
been revolutionized. While some people have welcomed these new media forms, others are more
cautious and argue that the news media's role has been diminished, and the quality of content has
been adversely affected due to the influx of social media. This paper aims to examine the impact
of social media on modern journalism and evaluate its positive and negative effects on the news
industry.

It appears that information collecting has replaced self-promotion as the primary social activity,
and the vocabulary of journalism has changed to accommodate social media. Even though
journalists are getting better at using Some journalists are less hopeful about how social media
will impact their journalistic operations, audience involvement, productivity, and the quality of
their work, for example, even though they use a range of techniques to acquire news.

1.3 Research questions

1. What is the extent of journalists' exposure to social media networking tools?
2. Which social media tools do journalists prefer to use?
3. How social media enhanced the productivity of journalists?

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1.4 Research objectives
1. To determine the level of exposure of journalists to social media networking tools.
2. To identify the social media tools that journalists prefer to use.
3. To examine how social media have impacted the productivity of journalists.

1.5 Research Hypothesis

There is a significant difference in the usage of social media networking tools by journalists and
those who do not use them.

Chapter 2

Literature Review

2.1 Introduction
Social media has been transformed journalism in a profound way, affecting the way news is
created, shared, and consumed. Traditional media outlets, such as newspapers and television
networks, are no longer the sole gatekeepers of news, as social media has provided an alternative
platform for people to access and share news. This has resulted in a democratization of news,
with citizen journalists and bloggers gaining significant influence and power.

The immediacy of news dissemination through social media has revolutionized modern
journalism. Social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook offer real-time updates on
breaking news, enabling journalists to cover events as they happen. As a result, there has been a
change in the way news is reported, with journalists giving priority to speed rather than accuracy
and relying more on content generated by users.

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Social media has also allowed journalists to engage directly with their audience, breaking down
the traditional barriers between journalists and their readers/viewers. This has led to a more
participatory form of journalism, with journalists using social media to crowdsource stories,
solicit feedback, and interact with their audience.

While social media has undoubtedly revolutionized the way journalists work, it has also
presented a range of challenges. One of the most significant challenges is the spread of fake
news and misinformation, which is often shared widely on social media platforms. This
phenomenon has made it increasingly difficult for journalists to verify the accuracy of
information and has led to widespread distrust of the media. Moreover, the need to produce
content quickly in response to social media trends has led to the rise of clickbait journalism and
sensationalism, which prioritize attracting clicks and views over reporting accurate and
substantive news. As a result, journalists must navigate these challenges carefully to ensure that
they maintain the integrity and credibility of their work.

Ultimately, there are many different ways that social media has affected contemporary
journalism. Although technology has given journalists new chances to interact with their
audience and report on breaking events, In addition, it has brought forth fresh difficulties that
need to be resolved if journalism is to continue to be accurate and of high integrity.

2.2 Concepts Review

2.2.1 Concept of the social media

The term "social media" refers to a collection of online platforms and tools that allow users to create,
distribute, and exchange information and content. These platforms enable users to create personal
profiles, share ideas and opinions, interact with others, and participate in online communities.

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There are several popular social media sites, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn,
YouTube, and TikTok. Each platform has its unique characteristics and areas of focus, with some
platforms emphasizing photo and video sharing while others prioritize text-based content.

For millions of individuals worldwide, social media has become an integral part of their daily lives.
Users range from individuals sharing personal updates with friends and family to businesses
connecting with customers and promoting products.

Social networking, which entails creating and sustaining connections with people through online
activities, is the foundation of the idea of social media. Social media sites offer a variety of tools and
features that help with this networking, including the ability to like, comment on, and share content
as well as capability for direct messaging and group chats.

Social media has a long history, with people using digital media for networking, socializing, and
information gathering for many years. While social media has recently become a part of popular
culture and the economy, its roots can be traced back to earlier technologies such as the analog
telephone.

One of the earliest examples of social media was an online platform for discussion created by former
IBM employees Ward Christensen and Randy Suess. They envisioned a site where they could
quickly communicate with their coworkers for announcements such as meetings and reports. The
program they developed was called the Computerized Bulletin Board System (CBBS).

Social media has a long history, with digital media being used for networking, socializing, and
information gathering for many years before becoming a ubiquitous part of popular culture and the
economy. The concept of social media may have been influenced by social interactions using analog
phones. One notable early use of social media was a platform for online debates created by former
IBM employees Ward Christensen and Randy Suess. They envisioned a site where coworkers could
quickly exchange announcements such as meetings and reports, replacing the need for multiple

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phone calls and notes. The program was initially named Computerized Bulletin Board System as
they considered developing a bulletin board system. Over time, social media has evolved into the
advanced technology we know today.

The creation of CBBS marked a significant turning point in computer and internet history as it gave
birth to online social networking. Several businesses became aware of the CBBS platform and began
using it for specific applications. The Bulletin Board System grew much faster than anticipated and
soon entered the mainstream. In the early 1990s, as Internet service providers gained popularity,
social networking websites began to flourish. With the introduction of personal internet connection,
many people rushed to become familiar with the latest technology.

The emergence of Friendster in 2002 marked a significant milestone in the history of social media.
The platform was an instant hit, attracting around 3 million users in its first month. Jonathan
Abrams, the founder of Friendster, skillfully combined features from earlier social networking
platforms to create a highly popular service. Despite its success, however, Friendster eventually
faltered due to server problems and was eventually acquired by a Malaysian company. Nevertheless,
it remains in use, particularly in Asia, even as newer social networking services have emerged and
gained popularity.

The emergence of MySpace.com brought a new wave of social media. It offered users a plethora of
opportunities for self-expression and greater control over their profile content. MySpace provided
users with various tools to create unique online personas. Until 2005, MySpace dominated the social
networking scene until it faced competition from Facebook.com, which was initially created as a
regional social network for Harvard University students. Facebook was founded by Mark
Zuckerberg, a Harvard sophomore, who gained access to the university's database containing
student-identifying photos.

Social media is often referred to as "social networks," although the two terms are considered
interchangeable. A social network, according to Wikipedia, is "a social structure consisting of
individuals (or organizations) called 'nodes,' who are connected by one or more specific types of
interdependency such as friendship, kinship, financial exchange, dislikes, sexual relationships, or

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relationships of beliefs, knowledge, or prestige." Social media, on the other hand, is defined as
"content created using highly accessible and scalable publishing technologies, intended for
distribution through social interactions.

Social networking websites, according to Boyd and Ellison (2007), are "web-based services that
allow individuals to construct a public or semi-public profile within a bounded system, articulate a
list of other users with whom they share a connection, and view and traverse their list of connections
as well as those made by others within the system." These platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter,
are centered on online communities. A more specific theoretical definition of social networking
platforms is that they are all networked tools that enable connections to be formed between at least
two individuals.

According to Wikipedia, social media use the internet and web-based technologies to transform
broadcast media monologues (which are one too many) into social media discussions (many to
many). It promotes the shift in people's behaviour from being content consumers to creators,
democratising knowledge and information. According to Kaplan and Haenlein, as mentioned in
Ganiyu and Qasim, social media is "a set of internet-based apps that build on the conceptual and
technological underpinnings of web 2.0, which promotes the production and exchange of user-
contributed content" (2011).

Duarte (2009) states that "Web 2.0" is based on software naming conventions, where upgraded web
technologies are categorized. This means that version numbers for technologies can be 1.0, 2.0, 3.0,
4.0, 5.0, and so on. Web 2.0 mainly refers to website functionality that enables users to publish
content, share it with others, and engage with them more easily, according to Duarte. In other words,
the use of web 2.0 makes it easier for people to utilize social networks online, as well as other
versions such as web 3.0. The term "prosumers" was coined to refer to web-based applications that
function as both information producers and distributors, as well as tools that people use to obtain
information on the internet (Ramanujam, 2008, p. 243).

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Classification of social media

A few examples of the many different forms that social media technologies may take include
magazines, online forums, weblogs, social blogs, microblogging, wikis, social networks, podcasts,
pictures or images, videos, ratings, and social bookmarking. Using concepts from media research
(such as social presence and social richness) and social processes, Kaplan and Haenlein (2010)
created a classification system for social media (self-presentation and self-disclosure). These
hypotheses comprise:

• Joint initiatives, like Wikipedia

• Microblogs and blogs, such as Twitter
• Content communities, for instance YouTube
• Social media platforms, such as like Facebook
• Virtual gaming environment: Game of Warcraft

Virtual social environments, for instance Third LifeThe seven functional building pieces of social
media—identity, dialogue, sharing, presence, connection, reputation, and groups—are either
partially or entirely the emphasis of these services. These pillars aid in comprehending the
audience's requirements for participation on social media. For instance, sharing, dialogues,
communities, and reputation are among the fundamental components of YouTube. Many businesses
create their own social containers to link the seven practical building pieces that surround their
brands.

These are private communities, as opposed to public social media sites like Google+, Facebook, and
Twitter, that bring people in around a more focused topic, such a particular business, profession, or
passion.

Components of the social media

• Social media consists of three parts, namely: (that is art, information, or meme)
• Media (physical, electronic, virtual, or verbal)
• Social engagement (intimate direct, community engagement, physical media such as
print)

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Many people use social media to communicate with others and exchange information. It is a
form of direct media that allows users to share various types of content such as comments, likes,
articles, videos, and images. Due to the fact that much of the content on social media is created
by everyday people and can lead to conversations, it is a unique type of media. According to
Duarte, "social media relies on human connections as the exchange and integration of words,
pictures, and sounds around various issues and emotions created by shared meaning around
topics and experiences." Consequently, journalists use these social media platforms to
disseminate information, gather news, and gauge public opinion on important societal matters.

Internet and social media's societal effect

The internet and social media have had significant social implications, both positive and
negative, on individuals and society as a whole. On the plus side, social media and the internet
have made it possible for individuals to interact across cultural and geographic boundaries and
have unmatched access to knowledge. Social media has facilitated the formation of communities
around shared interests, giving individuals a platform to interact and connect with people that
share their hobbies. It has also empowered marginalized groups and individuals to have their
voices heard and to advocate for their rights. Yet, privacy, cyberbullying, addiction, and the
propagation of false information are other issues that the internet and social media have brought
to light. Social media has come under fire for disseminating false information and conspiracy
theories as well as for having an adverse effect on young people's mental health. Social media
usage has also generated ethical questions, such as the use of personal data and the role of
algorithms in shaping users’ experiences and perceptions of the world.

In addition, the internet and social media have enabled the proliferation of hate speech and
extremist content, leading to increased polarization and social division. In general, the social
effects of the internet and social media are intricate and varied. Notwithstanding the numerous
advantages they have brought, they also pose formidable obstacles that need to be overcome if
they are to be put to good use in ways that advance the welfare of both people and society at
large.

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1. Lack of gatekeepers:

Yahoo, and YouTube don't. First of all, there is a significantly greater danger of
overburdening the system with unnecessary, irrelevant, minor, useless, or unimportant
communications. Gatekeepers examine information as well. The dependability and
validity of possible news sources are taken into account by newspaper editors and
television news directors. False information is screened out before it is published or
broadcast if the system is functioning effectively, which should prevent the spread of fake
news tips, unfounded rumors, and inaccurate information. The reliability of information
retrieved from the internet is not guaranteed. You must use some of it at your own risk;
others may be correct. As an illustration, certain social media accounts with profiles of
well-known persons in society could be run by a computer geek someplace who has no
connection to the aforementioned renowned person. Information on the individual
obtained through this route might be false, thus it should be verified before being used.
Without a gatekeeper, there is no censorship.

2. Lack of interpretation:

The media's ability to comprehend information may be lessened by the internet. As we've
seen, there are several social media platforms and internet message boards with a wide
range of themes (Dominick, 2002 P. 318). Most of the information obtained through the
internet is unprocessed and uninterpreted; as a result, readers' interpretations may differ,
leading to diverse viewpoints on a topic or incident.

3. Privacy concern:

Social media and the internet raise a lot of privacy-related concerns. Although protecting
someone's privacy in the digital age is not a new issue, before the internet, creating a
thorough background check on someone needed days or even weeks of looking through
documents dispersed in dozens of locations. Today, a human may complete the same task
with just a few mouse clicks thanks to electronic databases. Several countries have been

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 battling these privacy issues to limit the accessibility of personal information over the
past few years. The problem is tricky because there are many people who worry that
government regulation would be so strict that it will be challenging to conduct legal
information searches. Many favour voluntary regulations over legislation (Dominick,
2002).

4. Information Overload:

If one learns how to utilise and comprehend it, the internet provides an unrivalled
information retrieval tool. Before the internet, columnists, commenters, and students
conducting research would have to consult a text, reference book, or encyclopaedia
source that was seen as having some level of authority. Students, journalists, and other
researchers may now file an information request in the appropriate newsgroups or check
up the subject using a search engine. Nevertheless, the veracity of the reaction on the
news group is up for discussion because the online search presents a list of "sources" that
might include thousands of entries. Even if some of the sources on the screen can be
taken from scientific texts and others from comic novels, they all seem to have the same
level of legitimacy.

5. Need for Regulation:

The question of how to govern the internet is challenging. Lawmaking has lagged
technology. Internet usage's overall legal ramifications are still unclear. A excellent
example of copyright legislation is that it still has to be approved by the 160 countries
that attended the United Nations International Intellectual Property Organization summit
held in 1997. The standards encompass digital forms of literature, music, and artwork.

Even with these rules, there are still uncertainties. If copyright holders are given
exclusive rights, would everybody who accesses the material have to pay a fee per use?
How would this charge be paid? So what if your website offers a link to an other website
that unlawfully uses copyright material? Do you have to answer for a copyright
infraction? (Dominique, 2002)

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 Another issue is whether the owner of a social networking site or message board is
responsible if someone posts a defamatory statement there. How does pornographic
material fit in? Will the computer promote daydreaming? Some people already invest a
significant amount of time (and money) in computer conversations, gaming, shopping,
and news sources. Will we spend increasingly more of our lives looking at computers as
more and more entertaining things become available online? What occurs when "virtual
reality" outperforms "actual reality" in terms of appeal? Would many of us, particularly
journalists and other key players, give up socially meaningful endeavours in favour of a
frolic in the media world?

2.2.2 The Media Concept

Media are devices that are used to transmit and store information or data. Nonetheless, the
following classifications can be used to classify media:

A. Broadcast media: The electronic networks used to convey information, such as

TV and radio.
B. Print media: They include newspapers and magazines and distribute information
on paper or canvas.
C. Social media: Twitter and Facebook are two examples of media that are shared
via social media.
D. Mass media: All forms of mass communication fall under this category.
E. Digital media: An electronic medium used to transmit, shop, and receive digital
data is referred to by this name.
F. Multimedia: The blending of information processing and content forms in
communication.
G. New media: This category is wide and encompasses interactive computer and
communications technologies in addition to traditional media (Ganiyu and Qasim,
2011). We'll concentrate on both traditional media and social media in this study.

The Mass Media

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Any kind of media meant to simultaneously reach a broad audience is referred to as "mass
media." There are several forms of mass media, including:

i. Broadcast: Communications sent through electronic communication networks are

referred to as broadcast media. Moreover, they are known as electronic media. It
comprises devices that transmit information electronically, such as cameras, video games,
CDs, DVDs, radios, and televisions (Albertazzi and Cobley, 2010). Online broadcasting
is often referred to as webcasting. The Internet is touted as the most participative medium
for mass communication since it can be summed up as a "network of networks." The term
"internet" explicitly refers to computer networks that are globally accessible, linked, and
employ packet switching and the Internet Protocol standard to transmit data (IP). It is
made up of a number of smaller residential, educational, commercial, and governmental
networks that collaborate to convey various sorts of data and services, including as
emails, online chats, file transfers, connected web pages, and other internet documents
(Lorimer and Scannell, 1994).
ii. Print media: The category of print media includes books, periodicals, newspapers, and
other printed materials. Magazines, a type of periodical, cover a variety of topics and are
often funded through subscriptions and advertisements (Sambe, 2005). They can be
published on a weekly, biweekly, monthly, bimonthly, or quarterly basis and are typically
printed in color on coated paper and bound with a soft cover. Magazines are often
categorized by genre, such as professional, general interest, sports, and fashion.
Newspapers, on the other hand, are unbound publications that contain news, information,
and advertisements and are often printed on newsprint, a lower-quality paper. They can
be general or specialized in nature and are typically published daily or weekly.

iii. Social media: social media refers to content intended for sharing through social
interaction, which is created using an easily accessible and scalable publishing method.
There are numerous social media platforms available today, including Facebook, Twitter,
Google+, Wikipedia, YouTube, MySpace, Badoo, and many others.

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The difference between traditional or mainstream media and social media

Social media and traditional or mainstream media differ primarily in their organizational
structure, intended audience, and manner of operation. Media that has been around for a while,
such as print, radio, and television, are traditional or mainstream media. These media outlets
typically have a hierarchical structure and are owned by huge companies. Professional
journalists, editors, and producers are employed there, and they oversee producing and
distributing news and information to a sizable audience. On the other hand, social media is a
relatively recent phenomena that describes online tools and platforms that let people produce,
share, and exchange material and information with one another. Social media sites often have a
decentralized organizational structure and are controlled by private businesses. They eliminate
the need for gatekeepers or middlemen by allowing users to produce and distribute information
directly. The way that conventional and social media operate is one of their main distinctions.
The one-way information flow in traditional media is defined by the creation of material by
journalists and editors and the dissemination of that content to a sizable audience. Social media,
in contrast, is defined by a two-way flow of information, where users collaborate and participate
more actively in the creation and sharing of material. The reach and audience of conventional
and social media are significant differences as well. Traditional media has a broad audience base
and frequently reaches a sizable audience on several channels. The following characteristics can
be used to define how social media differs from traditional or commercial media:

a. Reach: Both traditional or mainstream media and social media can reach a large
audience. However, social media is often more decentralised, less hierarchical, and
diverse in terms of production and usage. On the other hand, traditional media typically
employ a centralised structure for organisation, production, and dissemination.

b. Accessibility: Both traditional and social media are accessible to a wide audience. While
traditional media tend to have a centralised framework for organisation, production, and
dissemination, social media is more decentralised and characterised by multiple sites of
production and usage.

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 c. Usability: Production of industrial media or mainstream media needs specific knowledge
and instruction. On the contrary, most social media outputs need minor reworking of
current abilities.

d. Immediacy: As compared to social media, the time between mainstream media

communications might be considerable (days, weeks, or even months) (which is capable
of virtually instantaneous responses). Yet, if conventional media begins to employ
production methods frequently found in social media platforms, this fact could soon lose
its significance.

e. Permanence: Unlike social media, which may be changed relatively quickly through
comments or editing, industrial or mainstream media, once published, cannot be changed
(for instance, edits to articles in magazines or newspapers that have already been printed
and circulated cannot be made). Social media has created a public forum where
individuals may openly discuss brands, businesses, politics, and society.

Concept of the Journalism

Journalism is described as "the work of producing reports for newspapers, magazines,

radio, and television" in the Longman Active Dictionary (new edition). Ganiyu (2004)
added this definition of journalism: "the task of gathering, publishing, and distributing

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 news and perspectives about society through the mass media." Journalism, according to
Wikipedia, is the practise of gathering, evaluating, confirming, and disseminating
information about current events, trends, problems, and individuals. Journalists are those
who work in the field of journalism.

Another style of communication that relies on asking and responding to the questions
who, what, and why is journalism. Where? When, Why, and How 2004 (Harcup).
Moreover, according to Harcup, journalism educates society about itself and makes
public information that would otherwise be private. According to this view, journalism
may in fact educate society about itself and be largely focused with making public
information that would otherwise be private. Nonetheless, this definition falls well short
of being complete. In addition to providing information, commentary, and elaboration on
topics that are already in the public domain, journalists also perform the following.

In a different approach, Qasim Akinreti (2007) proposes journalism as the purposeful and
conscious attempts to obtain information, collate and analyse data with the goal of
informing, educating and entertaining the public with the perspective of helping them
make an acceptable decision. Journalism, according to Ganiyu and Qasim (2011), is "the
work of acquiring, writing, and digesting news and ideas about society through the mass
media."

The addition of the word "processing" distinguishes the definition of Ganiyu and Qasim
(2011) from others because not all journalists, although being educated to do so, are
active in gathering information or even producing reports. Some journalists focus only on
the duty of information processing, while others work in editing, a crucial task in defining
how news is presented to viewers, listeners, and readers.

Structure of an Online News Story

There are distinct differences in how news is presented in traditional and online media. A
contemporary journalist will need to be tough to please an audience that is more sophisticated

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and oftentimes scanning a tale in a hurry. The writer will need to alter their presentation and
storytelling techniques in order to keep the interest of the online reader.

Even if you hope the reader will read the full piece while writing for the internet, the most
important parts of a story should be in the first four paragraphs. The first paragraph should have
no more than 25 words that sum up the main idea of the work. The first 25 words of the
paragraph serve as the story's foundation. As most readers scan the first paragraph before
deciding whether to continue reading or not, the first paragraph of an online article is more
important than the first paragraph of an offline piece. The first four phrases, in the author's
opinion, should flow naturally and accurately summarise the narrative. There should only be one
idea from the author in each paragraph (Ganiyu and Qasim, 2011).

Writing Tips for Online News Stories

According to Obasi (2012), here are some tips for authors of web stories:

I. Read regularly and use simple, direct sentences with active verbs and effective
punctuation. Avoid using complicated phrases that can imbalance the story. Use the right
register and make proper use of space to make your writing concise and straightforward.
II. Begin with a strong first paragraph or lead, which should contain the most critical part of
the story. The second key concept should be introduced in the second paragraph and
continued throughout the rest of the text. It is essential to bundle your lead and main
ideas in the first three to four paragraphs because online readers don't have time to read
the full story.
III. Write effective headlines that grab and hold the readers' attention. Avoid using
ambiguous phrases and write in the present tense, without punctuation, using active
verbs. The heading should be brief and to the point, providing a thorough synopsis of the
story.

Most news stories that are shared on social network walls often only have the title, with
the lead and a link to the full article rarely included. If the headline is intriguing enough,
readers will visit the website to read the entire content.

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IV. Know your target audience and tailor you’re writing to them. Keep in mind that internet
stories are accessible and available globally. While creating an online story, be aware of
your audience's psychographic and demographic patterns.
V. Write concise and engaging stories, especially feature news, which should be told in 800
words, regardless of the complexity. Online audiences, mostly teens and young adults,
are always on the go and may not have the time or motivation to read lengthy stories.
Therefore, it is essential to make every word count.

Tools for Online and Multimedia Journalism

From the inception of the profession, a pencil, a pen, and a reporter's notebook have been a
journalist's basic tools. Later, the typewriter and camera equipment were included. These basic
tools are still useful today, but because modern journalists must often do many tasks at once,
their equipment requirements have become more sophisticated. The role of a journalist used to
be cleanly divided into different roles. The roles of photographer and reporter have historically
been distinct from one another, as have the roles of copy editor and makeup artist. Since there is
no longer a definite boundary between print and broadcast journalism, today's journalists are
expected to be able to move between writing text, producing audio and video, and capturing
photos with ease.

Even though there is still room for the traditional or mainstream journalist who only reports for
print, television, or radio, all media now have web presences on the internet, necessitating that
their journalists become multitalented in order to be able to report for the online version of the
publication or broadcast (Allan, 2006). These are some of the tools that modern journalists use:

• Computers on the desktop and laptop

• Little pads and smartphones; a video camera; and other accessories.

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• A card reader and memory card

• USB cable

• Tapes with the digital video

• USB MODEM

2.2.4 The Concept of Modern Journalism

Journalism in the modern era is the process of obtaining, reporting, and disseminating news and
information using contemporary technologies and techniques. It encompasses traditional forms
of journalism such as print and broadcast, as well as new digital forms such as online news
websites and social media.

In modern journalism, Journalists are supposed to follow truth-seeking guidelines, impartiality,

and objectivity in their reporting. They are responsible for investigating stories, conducting
interviews, and presenting the information in a clear and concise manner. In addition to reporting
on current events and breaking news, modern journalism also involves in-depth analysis,
commentary, and investigative journalism.

Modern journalism has incorporated digital technologies and social media as a significant feature
for collecting and distributing news and information. With the advent of the internet, journalists
can reach their audiences through various means such as online news websites, blogs, podcasts,
and social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook.

Social media, in particular, has had a significant impact on modern journalism. It has enabled
journalists to connect with sources, gather information in real-time, and reach a wider audience
with breaking news and updates. It has also provided a platform for citizen journalism, allowing
ordinary people to report on events and share their perspectives with the whole world.

However, the rising of the social media has brought also challenges for modern journalism,
including concerns about the spread of misinformation and the erosion of trust in traditional
media. In response, modern journalism has had to adapt, with many news organizations focusing

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on fact-checking and verification and experimenting with new forms of storytelling and
engagement.

Overall, modern journalism is a constantly evolving field that continues to adapt to new
technologies and changing audience expectations. While it faces challenges and uncertainties, it
remains a vital part of democracy, giving people the knowledge, they require to make educated
decisions and hold those in power accountable.

2.3 Review of the Related Studies

2.3.1 Ruth, A. H. (2010, vol. 2 No.3). Social Media Revolution: Exploring the Impact on

nd
Journalism and News Media Organizations. (New York Times, 22 October 2010).

The researcher of this study gives a list of other social media sites that journalists can use. The
researcher saw an upsurge in social networking site popularity as of 2010. In comparison to just
17% two years prior, the research found that 49% of internet users had established or maintained
a social networking profile.

The study also examined the intriguing ways in which social media influences journalists'
capacity to do their duties more successfully. She used the example of an investigative reporter
who uses social media to her advantage to demonstrate how she may finish her job by gathering
information published on the social networks to the enrich her articles and occasionally even
utilise the online audience to find out more about an issue.

Following professional conversations and exchanges on Twitter, as well as keeping up with

current affairs and business news, were the researcher's two key methods for gathering
preliminary data. In order to understand more about the opinions of working journalists on the
media sector and possibly even engage in dialogue with them, the researcher also participated in
a few Monday "journals" on Twitter.

Also, In journals, magazines, websites, blogs, and publications focused on communication, the
researcher discovered a number of articles and important snippets. The researcher employed
information from articles and a secondary survey to provide quantitative and qualitative data in

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order to investigate the study's objective, which was to determine how social media has affected
journalism and news organizations.

The results of the survey show that, despite newspapers' reputation for breaking news and
unearthing stories of historic importance, a generation of customers who prefer digital and
mobile alternatives is losing their market share. The poll also found that, despite social media's
growth in popularity, TV continues to be the most popular news medium, according to 71% of
respondents. Due to their impatience, the younger generation wants immediate news and
information, which is another finding from the poll. In this case, the internet may be useful.

Also, the poll found that 60% of respondents believed news organizations to be politically biased
and not totally trustworthy, compared to 20% who said the news organizations were
"independent of prominent persons or are prepared to recognize their mistakes."

The relationship between this research and the present study lies in their common focus on the
impact of social media on journalism and journalists. However, it is important to note that the
study being discussed also examined the influence of social media on media organizations. In
contrast to the current study, the previous study lacked a clear definition of its research scope and
theoretical basis in communication theory. The current study, on the other hand, is focused on
journalists in the Makurdi metropolitan area.

2.3.2 Ismail, A. (2012) How Nigerian Journalists use Social Media to Source Stories (An article
published in the Daily Trust, 9th September 2012)

The objective of this study was to explore how Nigerian journalists utilize social media for sourcing
news. The study revealed that Nigerian journalists generally view social media as a valuable tool that
enables them to effectively perform their news gathering and monitoring responsibilities. They also
use social media platforms such as blogs, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and other websites to
monitor content posted by newsmakers and amateur journalists.

Out of the 12 journalists surveyed, 9 of them reported that social media has been immensely
beneficial in terms of news gathering, dissemination, and interaction with their audience and sources.
The researchers interviewed Nigerian journalists from various media outlets to obtain their

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perspectives on social media and its impact on their responsibilities. The adoption of social media
has revolutionized the practice of journalism globally, including in Nigeria.

However, 3 of the journalists expressed concern that social media could be detrimental to journalism
because unverified news pieces and libelous content could be easily circulated. Therefore, it is
important to ensure that the ethical standards of the press are upheld when using social media as a
news source.

Regarding the research question on whether social media enhances journalists' productivity, this
study's findings are significant. Nonetheless, the study's scope was broad, and the methodology used
was inefficient, as the majority of the surveyed journalists were based in Lagos and Abuja. To obtain
comprehensive and generalizable data, this study was limited to a specific location, Makurdi.

2.4 Theoretical Framework

The theoretical underpinning of the investigation was Rogers' (1995) diffusion of innovations theory
of communication. The concept came from Gabriel Tarde's "the Rules of Limitation," is a treatise
written in the nineteenth century by a French legal expert and sociologist (1903).

An innovation (i.e., an idea, new approach, or new technology) is said to diffuse or spread across a
society in a predictable manner according to the concept of innovation diffusion. Some people will
embrace a fresh notion after hearing about it right away. Yet, other people will take considerably
longer, and even more people will take longer. When a new technological advancement or other
change is immediately welcomed by a sizable population, it is referred to as "exploding into
existence" Bryant and Thompson (2002). According to Rogers and other experts on diffusion, every
member of a society will fit into one of five unique innovation-adoption groups. These organisations
include:

 The innovators are described as bold and willing to try out new concepts. Their social
contacts are often more international than those of other communities. These groups
typically communicate and form cliques while being separated by distance (Rogers,
1995).

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  Early adopters tend to be more regional than international. This adopter category
generates the opinion leaders of any category because of their crucial role in the local
community. People appreciate the opinions of early adopters and seek to them for
knowledge about new technology. Because of their success and willingness to learn about
new technologies, members of this adopter group are well regarded in the community.
Early adopters cherish community members' respect highly, and they take measures to
preserve that regard (Rogers, 1995).
 The early majority: Those that do not want to be the first to accept new ideas or
technology fall into this type of early adopters. The early majority, on the other hand,
wants to think things over before deciding, typically for a while. These individuals carry
out the vital function of legitimizing an invention, or articulating to the rest of the
community why adoption of the innovation is desirable and useful.
 The late majority: This group's members are skeptical about the advantages of adoption.
They don't take action until the invention has been tried and approved by the majority of
the community. Sometimes the late majority group is supported by peer pressure and
societal pressure. They occasionally consent to the improvements out of economic
necessity.
 The laggards: People in this group adjust slowly. The laggards are reluctant to absorb
new ideas because of their links to the past and existing practices. Many of them interact
with people who think similarly to themselves. The rest of society may have developed to
the point that an invention that a backward civilization adopts is no longer useful
(Rogers, 1995).

The aforementioned theory is supported by the study since social media is a new instrument that
journalists utilise to do their duties. Some journalists are still cautious to adopt or use social media,
however, as they are unclear of how it will affect the journalism industry.

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2.5 Literature Summary Review
The ideas of social media, media, journalism, and contemporary journalism were covered in this
chapter. It also covered media types, social media classification, some advice for writers who
publish online, tools for online journalists, and the societal effects of the internet and social
media. Reviews of comparable studies conducted by other researchers were also included in this
chapter. The research used Rogers' idea of innovation spread as its theoretical foundation. This
chapter also made it very evident how relevant the researcher's chosen theory was for the
investigation.

CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction

The population of the study, the sampling process and sample, the instrumentation, and the
validity and reliability of the tools utilised were all covered in this chapter. Moreover, it
described how the data was gathered and how it was analysed.

3.2 Research Design

The research design, sometimes referred to as the procedural blueprint for carrying out any given
inquiry, is the plan or "blue print" that specifies how data on a certain subject should be obtained
and processed. (Nworgu, 1991). The researcher also summarises their study's strategy in a few
pages (Acholonu, 2012). Nichmas and Nichmas (1981) provided the following definition of
study design in their paper on research methodologies in the social sciences:

the framework that guides the investigation's observational data gathering, analysis, and
interpretation. The researcher can infer causal linkages between the variables under examination
using this logical proof model. The range of generalisation to a huge population or to different
locations is established.
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Simply expressed, the research design serves as the framework for all studies. It is the broad plan
or approach for the planned inquiry (Madueme, 2010).

Therefore, a survey was employed to gather data for this investigation. This is due to the fact that
public responses were gathered through surveys.

3.3 Population of Study

The population refers to all instances or persons who meet a particular requirement (Ohaja,
2003). It can also refer to the total of all instances that meet a specific set of requirements, such
as individuals, subjects, things, industries, animals, and so on (Chin, 1959, cited in Madueme,
2010, p. 71).

For this study, the population is determined to be 293 based on information gathered from the
Makurdi branch of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ).

3.4 Sampling Technique/ Sample Size

Sampling refers to the process of selecting a subset of the population for further study (Ohaja,
2003). It involves choosing a portion or subset of the overall population in order to gain a deeper
understanding of the study variables (Madueme, 2010). For this study, the researcher
purposefully selected a sample size of 150 respondents using the purposive sampling approach.

Although the primary focus of the study was on journalists, the researcher chose to use purposive
sampling. This was due to the fact that the researcher had specific variables in mind, such as
years of service, exposure, and on-the-job experience. As a result, the researcher had to use
purposive sampling to ensure that these variables were adequately represented in the sample.

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3.5 Description of Research Instrument

The questionnaire was the research tool that used in this study. A questionnaire is a tool for
gathering data that asks a variety of questions in order to accomplish the goals of the study
(Madueme, 2010). Another method of gathering data is through questionnaires. It is used to
gather information on demographics, facts, views, beliefs, attitudes, ideas, and behaviours
(Obasi, 2012).

Twenty (20) items in all were chosen, and they were given to the responders. There were two
sections to the questionnaire. Part A featured the respondents' demographics, while Part B
comprised elements that addressed the research goals of the study.

About the demographic patterns of the respondents, items 1–5 provided answers. Items 6–12
addressed the first research question.

Items 13–15 provided a response to research question 2.

Items 16–20 provided an answer to research question 3.

3.6 Validity of Data Gathering Instrument

The supervisor carefully examined the study's questionnaire to make sure it was clear, pertinent,
unambiguous, and understandable.

3.7 Method of Data Collection

The data was produced using the questionnaire that the researcher herself physically
administered to the respondents. There were 110 returned questionnaires out of the 150 that were
sent, with a response rate of return of 73.3%. All of the completed surveys were gathered and
looked through by the researcher.

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3.8 Method of Data Analysis

The information was analysed using frequency tables, percentages, basic descriptive data
analysis, and chi-square statistical analysis. When working with contented data, the non-
parametric statistical technique chi-square may be utilised to test hypotheses quickly and easily.
The chi-square formula is shown below:

2 2
X =E (o-e) e

2
Where x = chi-square

E = summation

O=observation frequency

e = expected frequency

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