By: Ifeanyi Okonkwo
Head of department Mass communication Chukwuemeka Odumegu Ojukwu University (COOU) Professor Angela Nwamuo says the existence of social media platforms have not and will not displace traditional source of communication.
Nwamuo who was one of the discussant at the Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) Anambra State council press week held at the Godwin Ezeemo international press center Awka with the theme: “Traditional media and threat of the social media: implications for national development”, emphasized on the roles and importance of journalist stating that Social media will never replace or relegate newspapers, television and radio stations.
According to Nwamuo, when it comes to credibility, journalists are still those to be dependent and believed, this is because reporters and media organizations knows that they will be held responsible if they publish fake news.
Nwamuo while quoting communication scholars said social media is threatening the traditional media platforms but will never eliminate the place of traditional media.
In her words “Social media has succeeded in making traditional media to be transformed. Social media will never replace journalism. Live up to your responsibility. Back up whatever you see on social media with facts and figures’. He advised newsmen.
“Traditional and social media platforms are still very useful when it comes to circulating and disemenating information. We need to be careful and not believe everything we see on social media.
“Both traditional and social media platforms can be used for national development but the job of Journalist will never be replaced by social media.
She concluded by encouraging Journalist to equip themselves. “When you source news online, don’t just publish without verifying’.
Professor Nwamuo is right. Even the Advent of television and radio didn’t replace the traditional role of newspapers Both complemented each other. Social Media plays vital role in information dissemination. Source credibility is essential I both the old and new (social)media. Today, there is what is known as credibility variability in news sources or sourcing.Here social media sources as curated by mainline traditional news organizations are reckoned as authentic source. This, however, adds credence to the third-level credibility hypothesis of social media.
When you source news online, don’t just publish without verifying’.
variability