Journalists think social media decreasing their influence finds survey

Misinformation in social media, pressure to produce more unique content with fewer staff and learning new digital skills and were among the top issues identified by journalists across Australia in a survey by press release distribution firm Newsmaker.

The Newsmaker Australian Media Survey asked 412 journalists about the challenges they face in the digital media era and their views on best practice, press releases and social media.

It found 40 per cent of journalists surveyed source stories from social media on a daily basis and 60 per cent use press releases, personal contacts and search engines.

There were mixed feelings over the benefits of social media to journalism as 66 per cent said it has made it easier for journalists to source content, but around 60 per cent felt it threatened high quality journalism.