I believe that social media has decreased the quality of
news and information. Social networking sites allow an individual to post
whatever they choose about any topic regardless of whether or not the
information is factual and valid. There is no filter that prevents a person
from sharing news and or information on any social networking site and
therefore affects the overall quality of information that is shared on social
networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Information or news that is posted on sites
such as these are validated through the use of “likes” and “retweets”, from a person’s
friends, family, acquaintances and or peers. Since the information shared on these
social networking sites is all too easy to post it becomes unnecessary for an
individual to use valid sources in order to back up whatever they chose to
share with the rest of the online community. Social networking sites have made
it possible for a person share whatever they chose to at any time whether it be
an opinion piece or article. The audience of these sites often do not seek to
find the validity of the shared piece of information that they reading and
therefore, can be repeated shared with multiple people which allows the quality
of information to be poor. The internet is easily accessible which makes it
that much easier for a person to be able share whatever information they chose to on social networking sites such
as Facebook, Twitter, Tubmlr, and imgfave. Since, it is extremely easy for anyone to
share whatever news or information they want without having to use valid sources
and information, I believe that social media has decreased the quality of news
and information.
