Will traditional media be replaced by citizen journalism?

The media landscape has changed significantly in recent years, but the 2024 US presidential election has added a new dynamic. Donald Trump's return to the White House — contrary to many forecasts by established media — has not only shaken the political landscape, but has also raised fundamental questions about the credibility of traditional media. At the same time, social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) and citizen journalism are experiencing an unprecedented upsurge. This blog post highlights the most important developments and takes a look into the future.

Loss of trust in traditional media

Causes of Distrust

Trust in traditional media has steadily declined in recent years. According to the Mainzer long-term study Media Trust 2023, only 44 percent of Germans trust the media “completely” or “mostly” (Source: Mainzer University). There are many reasons for this:

• estrangement: Many people no longer feel represented by media coverage. Issues such as social inequality or migration are often presented one-sidedly.
• Erroneous forecasts: The incorrect forecasts made by established media regarding the results of the 2024 US election, which had not foreseen Donald Trump's victory, were particularly striking.
• allegations of manipulation: Critics accuse media of deliberately reinforcing narratives that serve specific political or economic interests.

Consequences of loss of trust

The loss of trust means that more and more people get their news from alternative sources. At a time when fake news and conspiracy theories are flourishing, this is becoming a challenge for society. At the same time, it is forcing traditional media to rethink their ways of working and find new ways to regain credibility.

Rise of citizen journalism and social media

Social media as a source of news

Platforms such as X, Facebook and TikTok are playing an increasingly important role in disseminating information. According to a Pew Research survey, 55 percent of Americans get their news from social media at least once a week (Source: Pew Research).

• benefits: Social media allow news to be distributed quickly and directly. Anyone can create and share content, which means democratizing reporting.
• drawbacks: The downside of this development is the spread of misinformation and the lack of quality control. Citizen journalism cannot replace professional research.

The impact of citizen journalism

Citizen journalists, often equipped with smartphones and an active online community, uncover topics that traditional media overlook. One example of this is reporting on protests and social movements, in which local citizens report live. However, these developments also raise ethical questions, such as responsibility and objectivity.

The role of traditional media in 2028

Challenges and opportunities

Traditional media will also play an important role in 2028, but will need to adapt significantly to remain relevant. Key approaches include:

• transparency: Media organizations must disclose their sources and decision-making processes to regain trust.
• Technology integration: The use of artificial intelligence to analyze data and create personalized content could be a decisive competitive advantage.
• Cooperation with social media: Instead of seeing social platforms as competition, traditional media should find ways to work with them.

The future of journalism

A hybrid media landscape in which traditional and digital formats co-exist is the most likely development. Journalism is becoming increasingly interactive and data-driven, with the lines between consumer and producer blurring.

conclusion

The 2024 US presidential election was a wake-up call for traditional media and confirmation of the growing importance of citizen journalism and social media. The loss of trust in established news sources and the rise of new players are presenting the media landscape with profound changes. For traditional media, this means an opportunity to reinvent themselves and regain trust through transparency, innovation and adaptability. The coming years will show whether they can overcome this challenge.