Most of my news consumption happens through social media. While I occasionally read articles or watch a traditional news broadcast, social platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook are where I see the majority of the stories that matter to me. News comes to me in a fast and accessible way through posts, short videos, and trending updates, which makes it easy to stay informed without actively searching for information.
On the national and international level, I am usually exposed to stories about politics, global conflicts, and major cultural moments. I do not always seek these topics out directly, but they quickly appear on my feed when they become trending conversations. At the state level, I pay attention to updates about new weather alerts, and education issues, usually because they are shared by people in my community or by local pages. Locally, I learn about events, crime updates, or changes in the community through posts shared emails or word of mouth from the University itself or groups of friends and piers. Even when I am not looking for it, social media connects me to stories that affect the place I live and the surrounding areas.
I also keep up with news from my hometown, mostly through social mediums like instagram and daily news sites like the Star Tribune. I also get updates from family and friends often before I find out myself. I don’t often go directly to my hometown newspaper’s website, but when a story gains traction on social media or in the national news I’ll click through to read the original source. This helps me stay connected to where I grew up, and stay grounded towards my family.
When I do type in a news site directly, it is usually something like CNN or Associated Press. However, this is rare compared to how often I rely on social media to supply my news. I do not have one favorite news site, but I do appreciate the speed and convenience of online platforms. They deliver the biggest stories to me quickly, and I can decide whether or not I am interested enough to find more information.
I consume news in different formats depending on how it is presented. I sometimes read short articles, but often watching videos or clips that summarize stories in just a few minutes is what works best for me. Videos are my favorite format because they are clear, engaging, and often easier to understand than long articles due to the audible communication. Occasionally I listen to podcasts for some news but for the most part I am listening to these for entertainment purposes.
I don’t often interact directly with reporters or submit content to news outlets, but I do share stories with friends or react to posts on social media. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok definitely lead me to most of the news I see, as creators and accounts I follow often share timely updates. Other platforms like X I use often to dig deeper into specific topics because X is often able to show and provide more information due to their guidelines.
To make sure what I am seeing is reliable, I try to double-check stories when they seem questionable by looking them up through a search engine or checking other sources. I have seen stories online that turned out to be fake or exaggerated, which has made me more cautious about believing everything especially in this new day and age of artificial intelligence.
Overall, my online news consumption is casual but consistent. Social media is at the center of how I stay informed and connected, and while I sometimes read or watch traditional news, most of the stories I follow begin as posts on my feed. This combination allows me to stay aware of what is happening in the world in a way that feels convenient and connected to daily life.
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