Denisova, A. 2021. ‘Viral journalism’, is it a thing? Adapting quality reporting to shifting social media algorithms and wavering audiences. in: Morrison, J., Birks, J. and Berry, M. (ed.) The Routledge Companion to Political Journalism Oxford Routledge. pp. 271-278
| Chapter title | ‘Viral journalism’, is it a thing? Adapting quality reporting to shifting social media algorithms and wavering audiences |
|---|---|
| Authors | Denisova, A. |
| Editors | Morrison, J., Birks, J. and Berry, M. |
| Abstract | This chapter examines the ‘viral’ practices of the leading media companies in the UK as they adapt to and adapt from the social media environment. News, political coverage, investigations, socially significant content - professional media are delivering their stories in a range of packages aimed at high engagement and sharing. These include interactive graphs, gifs, looped videos, cartoons and quote cards, among others. A definition of ‘viral journalism’ is provided, with an in-depth overview of academic debates on ‘virality’. The discussion on the relation of viral storytelling to power furthers the connection of viral cultures to journalism. This emerging phenomenon is placed within the social media ecosystem and attention economy. The chapter relies on theoretical concepts from media and sociological studies as well as interdisciplinary scholarship. Case studies of recent UK viral media episodes are utilized to elucidate the tactics of viral journalism, its benefits and shortcomings. |
| Keywords | viral media |
| audience engagement | |
| digital journalism | |
| social media | |
| algorithmic bias | |
| clickbait | |
| Book title | The Routledge Companion to Political Journalism |
| Page range | 271-278 |
| Year | 2021 |
| Publisher | Routledge |
| Publication dates | |
| Published | 20 Oct 2021 |
| Place of publication | Oxford |
| ISBN | 9780367248222 |
| 9780429284571 | |
| Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429284571-25 |
| File | File Access Level Open (open metadata and files) |
| Web address (URL) | https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9780429284571-25/viral-journalism-thing-adapting-quality-reporting-shifting-social-media-algorithms-wavering-audiences-anastasia-denisova |