I, like many other people my age, use social media for a myriad of things. I can stay connected to my friends and family; I can engage with content that is specific to what I enjoy; and, at times, I use it to stay updated on news and current events. According to a study done in 2019 by Antino Kim and Alan R. Dennis at Indiana University, up to 62% of American rely on social media in some form to keep them updated and informed. While issues like misinformation (especially with the ever-increasing use of AI in journalism) could come along with this, if you follow the right publications, you can usually receive a good understanding of what is going on. Plus, social media can be a lot more convenient. I can be updated on real world events, ranging from international conflicts to presidential candidate statements, while still interacting with content I enjoy.

However, recently, I’ve started to notice a trend across the board with a lot of these social media-reliant publications. They focus on quantity rather than quality, and the algorithm rewards them for it. I am constantly getting news about celebrities, but because I was on social media, where there is already so much exposure to such content, it was hard to stop and question it. Many of these networks would prefer to please the algorithm than to continue posting news. Current events often include words that would be flagged by many of these social media sites. The algorithmic strategy pushed upon these accounts is dangerous and should be questioned on the basis of censorship.

Not until July of this year did I fully notice, recognize, and question this on one of the accounts I used most often. NowThis News, which, as of August of 2024, has 3.9 million followers on Instagram, has begun to do this. NowMedia, the broader network that controls NowThis and its branching accounts, claims to aim for “More than Reach, Resonance.” However, despite this claim, NowMedia lists its monthly reach as over 191 million people. They also state they have over 100 million active monthly users and over 90 million followers across their social media platforms.

They are more than aware of the importance of their news, especially to those who use social media often. NowMedia states that NowThis “amplifies GenZ and Millennials’ purpose by activating their passions.” However, in February of this year, NowThis took a very strange turn. From the usage of AI to make things no one was asking for–like Jason Kelce losing his Super Bowl ring in a pool of chili (this is a real post from April 19^th, 2024) –to constant posts with popular buzzwords and any celebrity who is relevant at the moment. NowThis, months prior to this, was posting actual news. Information about lawsuits, major discoveries, and historical firsts were commonly seen on this page. They still featured pop culture elements, but much fewer than the amount they show now. I do think it is important to mention that NowMedia does have multiple accounts connected to it. NowThis, NowHer, NowFood, NowThis Impact, and NowEarth. NowThis Impact still posts news regarding current events, but, considering that they have 2.7 million fewer followers on that account, it remains a strange decision to end all current event news on their biggest main platform.

When looking into why this big shift even happened, I found out that NowThis had laid off around 50% of the people involved with the company. This is a growing theme within a lot of media companies. A larger look at media and tech companies done by Variety Intelligence Platform Analysis in August of 2024 shows that many large media companies are undergoing mass layoffs. Some bigger names include Buzzfeed, who laid off 16% of their company; Paramount, who laid off 15%; and Pixar, who laid off 14%. Though never explicitly stated, I feel like it makes sense that the rising growth of AI usage in media and tech has led so many companies to switch their business practices. It is much cheaper to use AI than it is to keep people hired, and since all these corporations are focused on maximizing revenue, it is no surprise that we are seeing this shift.

Now, I do not want to come across as a conspiracy theorist, but considering how NowMedia is supported by two of the biggest companies which have been boycotted by those in support of Palestine in the conflict between Israel and Palestine—Starbucks and McDonalds– it isn’t that surprising that they would phase out news regarding these subjects. This, combined with Meta’s algorithm, which is proven to be censoring information regarding Palestine with shadow bans and content removal, makes it increasingly difficult to justify accessing news on social media anymore–especially considering decreasing media literacy rates and increasing AI usage in media.

It can be hard to find a platform that is always what you want to read, but that might instead be a good thing. I think social media has allowed us to get too comfortable with being comfortable. Some media topics are not fun to read, but as a generation, we need to move beyond a preoccupation with what is always fun or enjoyable. Hopefully, as more legislation is proposed and adopted to fight against the rising threat of AI in the media, things will begin to settle down again. But as it stands, it is important for everyone, regardless of your beliefs, to stay well-informed, especially considering the upcoming election. Sites like AP News can help provide better, more reliable news no matter where you fall on the political spectrum. If you can vote, it is your responsibility to ensure your decision is at least well-informed.