With the massive array of information available on the worldwide web, it is easy to understand why there is confusion about the difference between blogs, social media and news websites. Despite the confusion and in some cases, crossover, they are not the same.
Covering the San Benito Health Care District board meeting last week, BenitoLink reporter John Chadwell noted that leaders and attendees appeared confused about what they were reading online and where the information came from. Specifically, speakers had trouble differentiating between social media comments and news articles.
San Benito County residents are fortunate to have a growing volume of locally-produced news and feature options, including BenitoLink. But if you want to follow news, is social media the place to go?
In the 21st Century, many businesses — such as BenitoLink — use Facebook pages to reach out to the billions of followers who use the platform. Readers can easily see a local news link on Facebook, for example, and click through to our site to read more. According to Wikipedia, the time spent on social media sites increased 99 percent from 66 billion in 2011 to 121 billion in 2012. “According to Nielsen (Nielsen Ratings, a company that measures audience sizes),” the article states, “Internet users continue to spend more time on social media sites than on any other type of site.”
While we use social media to share and promote our articles through Twitter and Facebook, Benitolink.com is an online news website giving San Benito County residents information about their own community. Ask yourself, who wrote this? We originate our own stories using a team of 12 freelance reporters and photographers who research and report on local issues. Articles written by paid, professional BenitoLink reporters show “Reporting for BenitoLink” just below the headline of the story, next to the author’s name.
The ongoing “Pledge of Champions” fund drive is an opportunity to support this community-based reporting.
BenitoLink’s mission is to serve the whole county, so we also welcome members of the public along with local clubs, groups and organizations to submit their own articles as long as they identify themselves and follow our Terms of Use. We are interested in representing and including all social, economic, cultural and racial groups.
“Commentary” is another popular section of the website that includes Opinion, Columns, Forums and Polls. We have recently changed from designating opinion stories as “Commentary” to using the term “Opinion” to help our readers understand that this is simply one person’s perspective on a specific topic. BenitoLink staff reviews but does not fact check or comment on opinion articles unless the Terms of Use are being disregarded.
In an effort to clear up confusion, we thought it might be helpful to clarify three common ways people get information online: Blogs, Social Media and Online News.
According to Wikipedia, a Blog is a “discussion or informational website” with “discrete, often informal diary-style text entries (‘posts’).” Wikipedia notes, “Many blogs provide commentary on a particular subject or topic, ranging from politics to sports. Others function as more personal online diaries, and others function more as online brand advertising of a particular individual or company.”
Another form of communication that can be confused with online news is Social Media. Today, many businesses and individuals use social media to make connections with the general population. Social media websites are highly-interactive platforms on which individuals, businesses and groups can create together and discuss topics. Wikipedia explains that because of its many forms, it can be difficult to define:
“Some of the most popular social media websites are Facebook (and its associated Facebook Messenger), WhatsApp, Tumblr, Instagram, Twitter, Baidu.” Tieba, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Gab, Google+, YouTube, Viber, Snapchat, Weibo and WeChat. These social media websites have more than 100,000,000 registered users.”
Although the usage implies great popularity, social media is a mixed bag. Wikipedia weighs in on the pros and cons of social media use:
“Social media can help to improve individuals’ sense of connectedness with real and/or online communities and social media can be an effective communications (or marketing) tool for corporations, entrepreneurs, nonprofit organizations, including advocacy groups and political parties and governments. At the same time, concerns have been raised about possible links between heavy social media use and depression (mood) and even the issues of cyberbullying, online harassment and ‘trolling’.”
Taking the time to understand what you are reading and who wrote it helps readers evaluate its significance. Although many users complain about what they read on Facebook and other social media sites, the reader has the final control over what is consumed.
BenitoLink, your local Online News, will continue to invite community members to write their stories and share opinions. We will also keep expanding our “Reporting for BenitoLink” coverage on topics that are important to our readers.
As your news website, BenitoLink’s primary role is to provide essential information about what is happening in local government and the county in general. We encourage our readers to support BenitoLink and be a champion, so they continue to have a dependable source for local news.
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