Most people are familiar with social media as a tool for publishing ideas or sharing interesting content. In what ways can it also be used as a research tool? Discuss ways in which reporters can gather valuable information for stories using text-based, photo-based, and video-based social media platforms.

What will be an ideal response?

Social media has several uses for a reporter looking for information on a story. Text-based platforms like Reddit and Twitter provide at-a-glance lists of trending topics and news stories, helping journalists determine when a story has earned enough interest from readers to be newsworthy. They also allow reporters to communicate directly with readers who have a wealth of knowledge about obscure topics or have insider information about a topic of interest. Photo-sharing sites like Instagram and Snapchat can help journalists get a glimpse at what life is like in faraway places, or help them get a different perspective on a news story by viewing photos taken by bystanders. Likewise, video platforms like YouTube can often provide journalists with raw footage from a breaking news event that can be useful in giving readers an eyewitness perspective. Photo and video platforms also allow journalists to get in contact with people who witnessed the news event and could provide an interesting interview to round out the news story.