The Impact of Social Media on Political Conversations

Today’s rocky climate provides a constant stream of political conversations that bodes well with the dominance of social media.

The swift rise of social media has changed how society interacts with news for good. Before its existence the cycle of news faired much differently as traditional forms of news ruled. These being print publications (newspapers and news magazines), broadcast news (radio and TV) and in recent years evolved to digital internet versions (online newspapers and blogs). 

Social media has expanded the forms of news with a range of digital platforms ( Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Youtube etc). These platforms split into one or more of the listed categories that help define the primary aim of each.

The 7 Different Types of Social Media

• Social networking sites.
• Social review sites.
• Image sharing sites.
• Video hosting sites.
• Community blogs.
• Discussion sites.
• Sharing economy networks.

Social networking sites are by far the most popular currently, combined with image sharing and video hosting sites. Although platforms such as TikTok and Instagram that are either video or image focused provide features that integrate these other forms.

Smart Phones

Smart phones are the dominant phone used, another progression that helped social media secure its place a more prominent and go to news outlet. They capture and provide prompt recording of news worthy content with built in quality camera and audio features. The access of such devices to the public provides the perfect backdrop for social medias creeping dominance of news, as it directly helps create the output means. 

Fluid Structure

Another difference is the unedited raw data. As traditional news is often if not always altered or contrived through the lens of whatever benefits the government or those in ruling position’s views. Information can be retracted or changed once released. 

Next the ‘direct to consumer’ approach gives instant content to the public. Unlike traditional media which has a longer turnover timeline from pitching to researching and lengthy pieces.  Social media’s pieces are short posts with limited space and/or recording time, that take less people and time to produce. 

Dialogue

Social media, especially social networking sites cultivate a conversation around news. Whereas traditional media dictates information to the masses with a closed perspective. Social media evokes an open discussion subject to critique or made for it. There is no dominant ‘correct’ narrative but instead separate points to a bigger story. 

This helps challenge and change perspectives, reform society by re-educating and brings a unified conversation to the masses. 

The Latest Effects

Finally the collective effects of social media are evident in the more recent top world stories, with ever new updates. Notably the #STOPASIANHATE movement was spearheaded by Susie Lau, a luxury fashion blogger, and Asian American fashion figureheads. Influencers took to their social media platforms, initially Instagram, to address the physical attacks of elderly Asian Americans, most of which have been life-altering or fatal. 

Due to a rise in racist attitudes since the origin of COVID19 in Wuhan China. Moreover the movement spread across social media, TikTok and Twitter included, and grew in support from those within and outside of ESEA communities. 

In conclusion the constant conversation around the #STOPASIANHATE movement has since resulted in an Anti-Asian hate crime bill being passed, to help tackle the increase reported hate crimes. #STOPASIANHATE highlights the way society has come to embrace social media as key an legitimate outlet for news. 

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