July 26, 2023
Twitter Becomes ‘X’ as Text-Based Social Media Expands
Big shifts in social media are making waves as new brands and platforms emerge. Twitter, newly rebranded as ‘X’, has recaptured the media spotlight from rival Meta. Elon Musk hopes to transform Twitter into an ‘everything app’ where users communicate, shop, and bank—it’s an ambitious agenda that could be derailed by a fractured user base and significantly diminished brand.
While Meta’s Threads has seen major initial success, its limitations in search and trending make experts skeptical it will soon supplant Twitter. In a new move to compete with text-based social media platforms, TikTok is rolling out text-only options for posts.
Media Literacy Methods and Lessons More in Demand
The proliferation of political misinformation and emerging AI have elevated the urgency for quality media literacy. With recent research showing significant increases in media engagement by children and youth, more states are changing curriculum. A new bill being considered by California’s legislature would implement media literacy in K-12 across every subject.
Although more misinformation has spread, new methods are empowering users to identify it. Researchers at the Stanford History Education Group suggest ‘lateral reading,’ opening new browser tabs to cross-check sources when reading a suspicious article. The Poynter Institute has provided a trove of digital media literacy resources through their MediaWise initiative.
The Latest Trends in Communications and Public Relations
Communications are rapidly evolving, from content creation to career expectations. A recent survey found that despite growing concerns of a convergence between public relations and journalism, roles remain distinct. Differences in earnings are also substantial—Census Bureau data show the average PR salary is 75% higher than the average journalist salary.
More journalists are looking for data and willing to partner with PR pros who provide transparent information. As generative AI becomes more integrated in professional communications, ethical guidelines are being established to support communicators. To mitigate employee stress and burnout, organizations should encourage and implement mindfulness practice.
Sequence Summaries: Social Shifts, Literacy Lessons, and Tracking Trends
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