Facebook

Definition

Facebook is a social networking platform that allows users to create profiles, share content, and connect with friends and communities. As one of the largest social media platforms globally, it has significantly influenced how journalism is practiced and consumed, altering the landscape of news gathering and dissemination.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Facebook was founded in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg and his college roommates, initially as a networking site for Harvard students before expanding to the general public.
2. With over 2.8 billion monthly active users, Facebook serves as a major source of news for many people around the world, influencing public opinion and conversation.
3. Journalists often use Facebook for real-time updates and to engage directly with their audience, which can lead to increased transparency and immediacy in reporting.
4. The platform has been involved in significant controversies related to misinformation, data privacy, and its role in shaping political discourse during elections.
5. Facebook allows organizations to create business pages, enabling news outlets to distribute their content more widely while engaging with readers through comments and interactions.

Review Questions

• How does Facebook's role in news dissemination change the way journalists gather and report information?
  • Facebook has transformed news dissemination by providing journalists with instant access to audience reactions and trending topics. This allows reporters to quickly adapt their coverage based on public interest and engage with users directly for insights. Additionally, the platform enables real-time reporting through live videos and posts, enhancing the immediacy of news delivery.
• In what ways do Facebook's community standards impact journalistic practices on the platform?
  • Facebook's community standards regulate what content can be shared on the platform, affecting how journalists approach their reporting. These guidelines aim to prevent hate speech, misinformation, and harassment, which means journalists must be mindful of their posts to avoid violating these rules. Failure to comply can result in content removal or account suspension, impacting how news organizations manage their online presence.
• Evaluate the implications of Facebook's algorithms on audience engagement for news organizations and their journalistic integrity.
  • Facebook's algorithms prioritize content that generates high engagement, which can influence news organizations to focus on sensational stories over substantive reporting. This pressure can undermine journalistic integrity as outlets may prioritize clicks over quality. However, understanding these algorithms also provides an opportunity for news organizations to tailor their content effectively to reach wider audiences while maintaining ethical standards if they remain committed to delivering accurate information.

Related terms

Social Media Algorithms: Mathematical formulas used by social media platforms like Facebook to determine which content appears in users' feeds based on engagement patterns and user behavior.

News Feed: The continuously updated list of stories in the center of a user's home page on Facebook, showing posts from friends, pages, and groups that a user follows.

Community Standards: A set of guidelines established by Facebook to regulate content on the platform, ensuring a safe and respectful environment for users.