Tag: Social Media

Edition 2/2026, Essay

Your vibe – new standard or hype? Journalistic credibility in the digital public sphere

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By Katja Schupp and Mirco Liefke | This essay analyses the shift in how journalists construct and present credibility in the context of social media. It begins with the observation that journalistic authenticity is increasingly shifting away from institutionally underpinned credibility towards personalised, emotionally driven forms, described in platform jargon as ›vibe‹. The essay situates this development within a media-historical continuum stretching from the printing press through traditional mass media to digital platforms. It demonstrates that with every media innovation, the criteria of credibility and the public sphere also change. Whilst traditional mass media rely on objectivity, standardisation and institutional legitimacy, personal presence, emotional resonance and algorithmically amplified visibility are gaining importance within the digital platform environment. The essay views this shift not as a rupture, but as an expression of the ongoing singularization of the public sphere in general and the mediated public sphere in particular. The interplay between platform logics and cultural change is giving rise to a form of journalism that relies more heavily on individuality and performative authenticity. Finally, it is argued that journalistic credibility must be renegotiated under these conditions, presenting an opportunity to intertwine institutional and personal forms.

Edition 1/2026, Paper

Between microphone and audience Experiences of women radio presenters in digitally connected interactions

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By Lea Möller | Interaction with the audience is fundamental in journalism, especially in radio, where it contributes significantly to the success of programs. In the age of social media and digital platforms, the interaction between presenters and recipients is crucial for the listening experience and the relevance of the content. Prior research has focused primarily on the audience’s perception of interactions, while the perspective of radio presenters has been largely ignored. In light of increasing hate attacks, especially against women journalists, this qualitative study addresses the experiences of women radio presenters in their interaction with their audience in Germany. The results show how structural factors and the use of digital communication tools influence the dynamics of interaction and the emotional experience of presenters. The latter tend to find contact with the audience enriching, both professionally and personally. However, they also mention negative experiences, which vary depending on the type of station and the channels of interaction used.

Edition 2/2025, Paper

Social media dynamics in the 2024-2025 Romanian presidential election campaign TikTok’s disruptive role and the enduring importance of journalism and legacy media

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By Eduard-Claudiu Gross and Tanjev Schultz | This article investigates the interplay between social media, mainstream media, and democratic processes in Romania’s 2024–2025 presidential election, highlighting the pivotal role of media freedom and professional journalism in an era dominated by digital platforms. While social media, particularly TikTok, emerged as a powerful force capable of influencing political discourse and amplifying fringe candidates through algorithmic bias and coordinated inauthentic behavior, the study also underscores the enduring importance of legacy media as a space for public debate, critical questioning, and accountability. The case of the finally winning presidential candidate Nicușor Dan illustrates how a combination of traditional media appearances and creative engagement on platforms like TikTok and Meta can overcome the asymmetries of algorithm-driven information flows. Consistent visibility in mainstream media, combined with adaptive strategies in the social media landscape, remains a winning formula. The Romanian experience offers lessons for democracies navigating the challenges of maintaining electoral integrity and media pluralism in the face of digital manipulation techniques and regulatory challenges.

Debate, Edition 3-4/2023

All twittered out What @ichbinsophiescholl tells us about platform criticism in journalism

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By Nora Hespers | Journalists and media houses use a wide range of social media platforms to reach their audience. Yet this use is rarely subject to critical examination. The downfall of Twitter, now X, is the ideal opportunity to take a critical look at the structures and economic conditions behind these networks. But still there is no great debate – just as there wasn’t in the case of the Instagram project @ichbinsophiescholl. Does journalism lack expertise in social media?