M04-Interview Summary

I had the pleasure of speaking with Jane, a social media manager who has a wealth of

expertise in the subject of social media marketing. With Jane, the conversation focused

mostly on her comprehension of how social media platforms choose the information that is

shown to users and the possible ethical difficulties that may arise as a result of these

processes. The goal of the interview was to acquire a better understanding of how social

media algorithms are affecting ethical standards in the media.

Key Findings:

1. Content Prioritization and the Effect on News Consumption: According to Jane, social

media platforms base their content selection decisions on user interaction and behavior.

The platforms' goal is to provide users with material they may find interesting or

pertinent, which has a big influence on how much news and information individuals

consume. Jane was worried that this content sorting would result in echo chambers

where people are only exposed to material that supports their own opinions, preventing

exposure to a variety of viewpoints.

2. Ethical Challenges and Misinformation: The interview brought to light ethical

Difficulties brought on by social media algorithms. Jane made the point that a focus on

engagement metrics can encourage the spread of false information and fake news. No

matter how credible the content is, it may be seen to more people, which would

undermine the credibility of news sources. Due to its role in the dissemination of
 inaccurate or misleading information, this scenario presents significant ethical issues

for the media.

3. Financial Implications for conventional News sources: Jane discussed how

conventional news sources may have both positive and negative revenue consequences

as a result of social media algorithms. Although algorithms have the potential to

enhance traffic and reach, they may not necessarily result in stable income sources for

news organizations. Traditional revenue models may face difficulties due to the

shifting dynamics of content distribution and engagement measures, demanding

modification by news organizations to continue to operate profitably.

Conclusion:

Jane's observations clarified how social media algorithms affect media ethics. It may lead

to echo chambers and the spread of false information when material is prioritized

depending on user interaction and behavior. Additionally, as they negotiate the altering

social media distribution environment, conventional news organizations have financial

difficulties.

The impact of social media algorithms on media ethics is a complicated and varied

problem, as the interview with Jane reveals. Social media companies need to be more open

about their algorithms in order to address the ethical issues brought up, and users should be

taught to acquire critical thinking abilities so they can make sense of the content they come

across. Media companies must also change with the times in order to retain their financial

viability and reputation.