Social Media over Mainstream Media?

Is social media is becoming a real media – to many (including me), becoming a more trusted media for news and information than the current mainstream media.

Scams the flurry of breaking news has made the mainstream media a bit over the top; contests for TRP, circulation etc has made them more sensational than Informative; too many linkages and vested interests to political parties, powerful people has made them non-independent and less trusted.

Over a period of time, a genuine observer could see the shift in the outlook and focus of mainstream media. That doesnt mean the social media is only giving truths out. But you know those are individual view points. And it provides an equal platform for both (or multiple parties) involved in a specific context to respond, debate, or put across their views instantaneously.

Inherently, I am big fan of reading, hearing or viewing contents that describe clear, specific view points; irrespective or right or wrong, in line with my thoughts/beliefs or against it. This, in comparison to structured, reviewed, edited and polished contents. I prefer interviews and debates to documentaries or articles. I get to know more about a person through his spontaneous reactions and views and reactions.

This could be the reason probably that makes me go for social media platforms like twitter than a news channel or news website. I do read those, but the moment I sense some important development, I go to twitter. I get immediate access to first hand, second hand and further hands of information – as long as I know whom to follow, or at least how to search!

I don’t see the same informative angle in Facebook, though. It is more inclined towards personal use, entertainment etc. I don’t know the real reason behind why two platforms are  perceived so much differently; but I see a marked difference there.

On the professional front, I use LinkedIn a lot. It is a great social networking platform at a business/professional level: be it business connections, references, job seeking, job posting and so on. I found much better hit rate through job postings, surprisingly even better than even dedicated job portals like Naukri or Monster. I had a business partner who never met me in person agreed to get into the partnership because he ‘trusted my linkedin profile’! I do get a lot of first hand industry and domain information on LinkedIn too – but there I feel twitter is faster!

Another platform that need special mention is Youtube -where everything combines: information, news, knowledge, business etc. The use of videos for all those needs has been redefined to some extent. I know many people (and I did in many instances my self) who search youtube for some information/instructions even bypassing the real encyclopedia of today: Google!

Just like Internet – a great platform offers a large set of risks as well. Social media too falls into that category. There are great uses of Twitter and facebook – and there are plenty of wrong uses as well. It is upto the individual to use the platforms available to more positive use, and gain the maximum benefits from them…