Why Campus Journalists Must Embrace Social Media, Not Abandon It

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In today’s digital-first world, social media is more than just a space for entertainment—it has become the modern battleground for ideas, discourse, and influence. Yet, a recent statement by a media professional advising campus journalists to limit their use of social media has sparked debate. The concern? The spread of misinformation and its impact on mental health.

While mental well-being is undeniably important, completely stepping away from social media is not the answer. If anything, it’s a misstep to abandon a platform where meaningful conversations are taking place—especially when more than half of the voting population actively engages in political discourse on platforms like Facebook and TikTok.

The Power of Social Media in Modern Journalism

Social media isn’t just a distraction or a breeding ground for fake news; it’s the digital town square where today’s most pressing issues are discussed. In the 2024 U.S. elections, both major political campaigns leveraged TikTok to engage voters, proving that ignoring these platforms means ignoring a significant portion of the electorate. This trend isn’t limited to the U.S.—political and advocacy groups worldwide have recognized the unparalleled reach of social media.

A Pew Research Center study revealed that about 50% of TikTok users under 30 rely on the platform for political news. This means that if journalists—and campus journalists in particular—aren’t present in these spaces, they are effectively ceding ground to misinformation, sensationalism, and bad actors who thrive in an unchallenged online environment.

Instead of discouraging young journalists from using social media, we should be teaching them how to wield it responsibly and effectively.

Fighting Misinformation with Quality Journalism

Misinformation is a legitimate concern, but abandoning social media won’t solve the problem. A study in the Journal of Social Media in Society highlights how mental health misinformation is rampant on platforms like TikTok, leading to self-diagnosis and harmful treatment decisions. But if trained journalists—those with a strong foundation in ethics, verification, and responsible storytelling—step in to fill this space, they can counter false narratives with credible, factual reporting.

Rather than seeing TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, or X (formerly Twitter) as threats, campus journalists should be empowered to use these tools to their advantage. Imagine a world where young reporters break down complex issues into digestible, engaging, and factual short-form content. Instead of allowing unreliable sources to dominate online spaces, let’s equip student journalists with the skills to create content that is not only informative but also compelling enough to compete with misinformation.

Reclaiming Lost Audiences Through Digital Engagement

Many traditional news organizations struggle to reach younger audiences. Why? Because they’re not meeting them where they are. Today’s consumers, especially Gen Z, are spending 3-4 hours daily on social media, engaging with bite-sized content that’s fast, dynamic, and visually engaging.

If mainstream media and journalism educators continue dismissing social media as a distraction, they risk alienating an entire generation. Instead of fighting against the tide, they should ride the wave—adapting journalistic practices to fit new digital formats.

A Call to Action: Equip, Don’t Discourage

The solution isn’t to tell campus journalists to step away from social media—it’s to train them to use it better. This means incorporating social media literacy into journalism curricula, teaching students how to fact-check in real-time, and showing them how to craft engaging yet credible content.

Social media isn’t the enemy. Ignoring its potential, however, is. By harnessing its power, we can nurture a new generation of storytellers—campus journalists equipped with integrity, creativity, and the ability to reclaim online spaces for truth and accountability.

"Very much willing to support this advocacy though the competition with well-funded groups organized and led by personalities with vested interest and ulterior motives proliferating misinformation is immense and wide-spread. Volunteers and advocates with less connections and network of influential and affluent people will definitely have a challenge. Even journalists of mainstream media are prone to release misinformation in exchange of financial rewards and perks that comes along with reporting favorable news benefitting only those with the capability to pay."

It’s time to move forward, not backward. The future of journalism depends on it.

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