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Mainstream Media Finally Catching On To How News Propagates

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the whole-new-idea-of-trusted-networks dept.

Techdirt is reporting that the mainstream press may finally be "getting it" when it comes to how the next generation of news readers consumes and shares news. One student summed it up very succinctly by saying "If the news is that important, it will find me." "According to interviews and recent surveys, younger voters tend to be not just consumers of news and current events but conduits as well -- sending out e-mailed links and videos to friends and their social networks. And in turn, they rely on friends and online connections for news to come to them. In essence, they are replacing the professional filter -- reading The Washington Post, clicking on CNN.com -- with a social one."

7 of 159 comments (clear)

  1. Slight problem for slashdot readers and others... by dpx420 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Who don't have any friends.

  2. Brittney by wiredlogic · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Somehow news of Brittney's latest pecadillo always manages to find me despite my struggle to be ignorant of her existence. I don't even have to use her full name for you to know who I'm talking about. With mainstream media there is still the problem that they play to the lowest common denominator of consumers. The type who buy Star magazine.

    --
    I am becoming gerund, destroyer of verbs.
  3. The obvious down side by faloi · · Score: 5, Insightful

    As the trend continues, people are going to be even less likely to hear opposing points of view. If your circle of friends is the only group that sends you news, and your circle of friends tends to think/agree with your point of view, you'll be even more insulated.

    --
    "It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education." -Albert Einstein
    1. Re:The obvious down side by db32 · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I think this is actually false, but it would be interesting to see some real statistics on it. Think about what you send to who. There are plently of little sheeple types that all think and behave the same, but are these the types that typically keep up on current events beyond crap like Britney Watch? I mean really most of my friends have a WIDE range of opinions on a WIDE range of topics and we constantly send eachother point/counterpoint stories, not just stories that will provide mental masturbation as we all nod and agree.

      I'm telling you, even amongst the most herd mentalities of political parties and religious groups, get them into smaller groups and make them actually describe what they believe and why and you will likely start a brawl amongst them (they don't tend to deal with differing opinions well). They all think they think alike, and the illusion is blissfully maintained so long as they don't have to think for themselves or form their own opinions, but make them talk about that stuff, think about that stuff, without giving them the opportunity to express herd mentality for eachother and you will frequently see divergent points.

      --
      The only change I can believe in is what I find in my couch cushions.
  4. Re:Slight problem for slashdot readers and others. by Midnight+Thunder · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Who don't have any friends.

    But you do get to share in a community of readers who never read the news articles or get the wrong end of the stick. I mean this wouldn't be slashdot if we didn't start reacting to the article summary that has little or nothing to do with the referenced article ;)

    --
    Jumpstart the tartan drive.
  5. Instead of linking to Techdirt by ral315 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Instead of linking to Techdirt, could the editors please consider linking to the actual article?

  6. How News Propigates to Me by Alzheimers · · Score: 5, Funny

    Event -> Mainstream Media --> Daily Show ---> Me

    Jon Stewart is my Walter Cronkite