Editorial: Recognizing social media’s power

Editorial: Recognizing social media’s power

IN RECENT years we saw how social media and the internet have pushed the boundaries when it comes to information dissemination. The year 2019 is no different as social media continues to flood us with bottomless information from around the world.

For community papers like SunStar Davao, this has pushed us to adapt and develop ways to keep up with the fast changing technology.

Social media has played an integral role in identifying stories around the community we are in. It also allowed us to crowdsource photos from areas where we are unable to go.

A good example of this is the information and photos we were able to source from areas affected by the strong quakes in October and November.

Without social media, we would not have found out about the collapsed building in Padada, Davao del Sur or the collapsed Ecoland 4000 residential building in Davao City. Through the various social media accounts of the local government units and government agencies, we were able to collect information in real time and provide timely updates to our readers.

Another example is how we were able to gather stunning photos of the recent solar eclipse from our readers.

Through this platform, we were also able to provide a platform for individuals to extend help to others. When we released a video of Zyrel Ranain, 21, a street performer or street busker in Davao City, some individuals have come forward to provide a better place for him to perform. After the earthquake, we were able to gather donations for those who were affected.

Social media has also allowed SunStar Davao to develop new ways to deliver stories to its readers through infographics and videos. This year we saw the launch of our online news cast, Newsbits Tonight, for both SunStar Davao and Super Balita Davao. We also launched Super Balita’s digital content exclusives -- Dear Noy Tikyo, Istorya Ta!, and Beshies in Tandem. SunStar Davao’s Best of Davao and Dasig continue to make waves on social media.

However, social media continues to pose a challenge to the traditional media. With so many information flooding our newsfeed, not all are verified and correct. Many continue to fall prey to false information and refuse to listen to verified information from the authorities.

While information is fast, journalists must continue to uphold this practice of verification. Verification may not be as fast as the information that floods the social media platforms but it is crucial. Through this practice, we in the media are able to filter information that is verified correct and true.

We saw how unverified information has caused panic among Dabawenyos. Some examples include the false tsunami warnings after the earthquakes in October or that there is a meningococcemia outbreak.

Social media is a powerful tool and we will continue to take advantage of it. However, we also have put up guard rails and filters to ensure that what we deliver to our audience are stories that have been verified and true.

This coming 2020, we are excited to see how digital technology will push us to deliver stories of the community we are in to a wider audience.

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SunStar Publishing Inc.
www.sunstar.com.ph