THE RISE of social media has transformed the delivery of news. News outlets are digitalizing to strengthen their online presence through social media. Now, most people receive their news online—on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok. With these sites having unprecedented reach, news is the most accessible it has ever been.
However, relying on social media as the main delivery platform for news also subjects daily news and politics to the same algorithm that dictates the rotation of content on our devices. In this era, news outlets are also competitors for people’s attention—fighting against memes, vlogs, and other forms of entertainment for consumer engagement. With algorithms shaping which types of media are favored on their platforms, they wield unprecedented power over how information is told and received.
Given this reality, staying competitive for consumers’ attention is a difficult task as it forces news outlets to play the game of entertainment. With social media algorithms now favoring short-form content, news outlets are also pushed to continuously adapt by providing news in the shortest and most engaging forms.
As such, the press now relies on multimedia reporting, especially short-form content. Although it pushes the boundaries of news reporting and makes it more digestible for the general public, it also risks lowering the content’s quality and reducing the time given to dissect and fully understand important stories.
For instance, complex socio-political issues, such as international wars, are now condensed into 60-second videos attempting to explain the deep historical roots of such conflicts. Years of civic education are summarized into short 10-slide explainers amid the prelude of the 2025 National Midterm Elections. At worst, stories are sometimes sensationalized at the expense of truth.
With the growing dominance of short-form content, media outlets seem to have their hands tied—carrying the heavy burden of accurately depicting intricate issues while vying for audience attention in an algorithm-driven landscape.
Unknowingly, playing this game has encouraged a post-truth world—unintentionally equating real-life experiences of various sectors with entertainment, especially in terms of what is true and deserving of our attention. As such, we face the challenge of upholding our credibility while being subjected to an engagement-oriented algorithm.
In this new era, multimedia journalists must be acutely aware of each artistic decision and how it delivers news to viewers. On the other hand, consumers also carry the responsibility of resisting these algorithms. We must seek stories that accurately represent the marginalized while exercising the power of our attention. In a period where attention is a commodity, choosing what holds your attention implies power.
More importantly, social media systems need to change. It must ensure algorithms prioritize the truth—letting stories speak for themselves without having to resort to gimmicks to reach a broader audience. After all, the stories that the press covers are stories deeply intertwined with humanity. They echo realities that should not be subject to an algorithm made to manipulate your attention.
As the digital space continues to evolve—becoming increasingly saturated, unmoderated, and sometimes a machinery for fake news—protecting the truth remains crucial. Changes must be made by journalists, consumers, and platforms to ensure that human stories are the priority of our attention.
Liana is a fourth-year Political Science student at Ateneo de Manila University. With her interest in politics and photojournalism, she aims to better understand social structures to progress toward a participatory society that promotes inclusive development.
Editor’s Note: The views and opinions expressed by the opinion writer do not necessarily state or reflect those of the publication.
