Is real journalism still possible in times of social media?

Is real journalism still possible in times of social media?

What an exciting topic that is now on the table at the media discussions of Bremen two, Zemki and the Bremen press club! Under the title "Is real journalism on social media still possible?" is discussed on the influence of social media on communication and journalism. The event that does not require registration and can be visited with free admission brings journalists together who have to compete with influencers, entertainers and algorithms today.

The focus is Hubertus Koch, a well -known filmmaker, journalist and podcaster. Koch, who was awarded the German TV Award for his documentary "Addicted to Jihad", is also a founding member of the Bremen reporter network Y-collective. His latest book "Lost Boy: Addicted for Life", which has appeared at Ullstein, deals with emotional topics such as addiction and mental health. Koch emphasizes the need for sensitivity and professionalism in journalism, especially in times when emotions are often preferred by algorithms.

insight into the challenges of journalism

A current study by the Otto Brenner Foundation entitled "Journalism in Social Network. ARD and ZDF in the spell of the algorithms?" shows that public media face major challenges. The examination is based on 18 guide interviews with those responsible for journalistic content on social media. The respondents describe how their editorial work is strongly shaped by the functional of algorithms, trying to design journalistic content in such a way that they achieve the highest possible range. It turns out that emotional contributions are often preferred algorithmically, while more complex topics often fall behind.

Almost every editorial step is now subject to algorithmic logic, which is a challenge for many journalists. They are not only an intermediary, they also have to face the risk of disinformation and manipulation by algorithms. This is strongly related to digitization and the associated changes in the communication landscape, as the LMU's Institute for Communication Science and Media Research (IFKW) explains in Munich. Not only is the changes in journalism, but also on the fact that the profession changes from gatekeers into open platforms. In the meantime, every person can publish content online, which also increases the challenges.

The role of AI in journalism

Another important aspect is the role of artificial intelligence (AI). Many journalists not only have to prepare themselves against misinformation, but also check the authenticity of information and sources - especially if the content of AI is generated. The preparation of information nowadays must be viewed more critically than ever, since readers often have difficulty distinguishing between different sources, especially when it comes to AI generated texts.

In this area of ​​tension between quality and algorithmic content, it is crucial that journalists develop a good knack for dealing with these new challenges. The media discussion with Hubertus Koch, which will be broadcast on Bremen on Bremen on June 13, 2025 at 6:55 a.m., promises interesting insights into the future of journalism in times of social media and algorithms.