In the rapidly evolving landscape of social media and news distribution, the influence of X (formerly known as Twitter) as the leading global platform for real-time news coverage is declining. A clear example of this for the Armenian audience is the coverage of recent events in Georgia and Syria on X compared to competing platforms.
The changing landscape of news consumption
The fragmentation of real-time news coverage has accelerated, and several platforms have emerged as potential alternatives to X.
- Telegram channels: Telegram channels are arguably the best alternative for consuming news in chronological order. Telegram has no algorithmic filtering, allowing users to follow events in real time without the artificial distortion of information visibility.
- Bluesky: The platform has rapidly become a refuge for journalists and influencers departing from X. It resembles Twitter before its acquisition by billionaire Elon Musk. Last week, the platform’s user count surpassed 22 million and continues to grow.
- YouTube: Although the platform is often known for sharing short and entertaining videos, YouTube has increasingly become a significant source for real-time news distribution in recent years. During military conflicts, natural disasters, and political events, YouTube live streams are often more informative than text-based news.
- Instagram: A surprisingly effective platform for news, many news outlets have learned to utilize it, mainly through Stories and Reels, when targeting a younger audience.
- Mastodon: This decentralized platform has garnered a large following of information seekers who prefer alternatives to corporate-controlled social media.
- Threads: Despite facing initial challenges because of its entertainment focus, the platform has recently introduced changes that allow users to choose their content preferences: either algorithmic filtering or content from accounts they follow. Additionally, Meta has committed to reducing overall algorithmic filtering, which may make the platform more appealing to those seeking an alternative to X.
The Limitations of X
The platform’s limitations have become apparent in recent global events. It used to be the primary source for people seeking quick news and wishing to engage in the global conversation about current events. However, users are now gravitating toward alternative platforms.
The Evolving Role of WhatsApp
While WhatsApp channels are on the rise, they remain technologically inferior to Telegram. Reading news on WhatsApp can be inconvenient; only a few news organizations have adopted this platform. Although WhatsApp has potential, it has yet to refine its functionality for real-time news distribution.
The Fate of X
If X does not make timely changes, it risks becoming uninteresting in the global news landscape. Consequently, both news publishers and consumers are seeking platforms that emphasize real-time information and provide content free from algorithmic filtering.
Artur Papyan,
media expert
The views expressed in the column are those of the author's and do not necessarily reflect the views of Media.am.
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