Social media as reporting tools: changes & challenges facing journalists and news organizations in Kenya

Abstract

This study sought to investigate how journalists and news organizations were responding to the changes and challenges brought about by social media. The study employed a qualitative approach and used the descriptive research design. The study obtained qualitative data through in-depth interviews. The study drew a sample of journalists from five top news organizations in Kenya. The data w as analyzed thematically. The study shows that social media have become everyday tools among journalists, with the two main platforms being Facebook and Twitter. Journalists use social media for a variety of tasks such as following local and international news organizations, looking out for breaking news and following developing stories. The study shows that social media have brought about significant changes to the practice of journalism. The concept of breaking news was cited as the biggest change that journalists and news organizations have had to grapple with. The study shows that of the five news organizations sampled; only two had a social media policy. The study also shows that social media are going to be very commercial than they are now; they will be massive tools for corporate advertising and top revenue earners for news organizations.