Introduction:

The digital age has revolutionized the way we consume news. With the wide adoption of social media feeds, the traditional newspaper and television broadcast are no longer the only sources of delivery methods for news information. News curation, the process of selecting and presenting news stories to readers, has become increasingly important in this new media landscape. In this blog we will look through the progression on how news has been selected and delivered to the end reader, and the impacts of future technologies.

Traditional News:

The shift in news curation from the past to today has been largely driven by technological advancements and changes in consumer behavior. In the past, news curation was primarily done by human editors who selected and prioritized news stories based on their judgment and expertise. This curation process was typically done within the walls of newsrooms and distributed through traditional media channels like newspapers, television, and radio.

An editor curates news articles for a newspaper by selecting and prioritizing stories based on their news value, relevance to the audience, and overall quality. The process typically involves several stages, including news gathering, selection, editing, and publication.

Here is a general overview of how an editor curates news articles for a newspaper:

1. News gathering: Editors and reporters gather news by monitoring events, conducting interviews, and reviewing press releases and other sources of information.
2. Story selection: The editor selects the most newsworthy and relevant stories to include in the newspaper, based on factors such as timeliness, significance, impact, and interest to the audience.
3. Editing: The editor reviews each selected story to ensure that it is accurate, clear, concise, and adheres to the newspaper’s style and tone. The editor may also make changes to the story to improve its readability or to fit the space available in the newspaper.
4. Layout and design: The editor works with the layout and design team to determine the placement of each story within the newspaper and to ensure that the overall layout is visually appealing and easy to read.
5. Publication: The edited and designed stories are sent to the printing press for publication. The editor may also oversee the online publication of the stories on the newspaper’s website or social media platforms.

Throughout the curation process, the editor is responsible for ensuring that the newspaper maintains high journalistic standards of accuracy, fairness, and impartiality. The editor must also consider the needs and interests of the newspaper’s audience and balance these with the demands of news value and newsworthiness.

Overall, the process of traditional news curation for a newspaper involves a combination of journalistic expertise, editorial judgment, and attention to detail. The goal is to deliver high-quality news content that informs, educates, and engages the audience.

Social Media News:

With the rise of digital technology and the internet, the news curation landscape has undergone a significant transformation. One of the key drivers of this shift has been the rise of personalization. With so much news content available online, readers have become increasingly selective about the types of stories they consume. As a result, news organizations have developed algorithms and other automated systems to deliver personalized news feeds that cater to each individual reader’s interests and preferences.

This customization has really emerged with the rise of social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. These platforms have become major sources of news for many people, and they have disrupted traditional news distribution channels.

Personalization and Algorithms

The rise of personalized news feeds means that news curation will become even more personalized. News organizations and social media platforms will use algorithms to determine the stories that are most relevant to each individual user. This will create a more tailored news experience, with users receiving only the stories that interest them.

Social media algorithms are complex sets of rules and calculations that are designed to determine which content appears in a user’s feed or search results. These algorithms are used by social media platforms to curate news and other content that is relevant and interesting to individual users.

There are several factors that social media algorithms take into account when curating news, including:

1. User preferences: Social media platforms use algorithms to track user behavior and preferences, such as which pages they follow, what types of content they engage with, and how long they spend on certain posts. This information is used to create a personalized feed of content that is tailored to each user’s interests.
2. Engagement: Social media algorithms also take into account how much engagement a post has received, such as likes, comments, and shares. Posts that have received a high level of engagement are more likely to be shown to other users.
3. Relevancy: Social media algorithms also prioritize content that is relevant to the user, such as posts that are related to their location, interests, or search history.
4. Timeliness: Social media algorithms also take into account the recency of a post, with newer posts being prioritized over older ones.
5. Source credibility: Social media algorithms also consider the credibility of the source of the news. Platforms aim to prevent the spread of fake news and misinformation, so they may prioritize content from reputable sources and demote content that has been flagged as misleading.

News dissemination through influencer sponsorship/collaboration

Social media influencers are individuals who have established a large and engaged following on social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Twitter. These influencers can be an invaluable asset to organizations looking to distribute news and reach a wider audience.

One of the primary ways that social media influencers can help organizations distribute news is by sharing it with their followers. When an influencer shares news about a particular organization or cause, their followers are more likely to pay attention and engage with the content. This can help to generate interest in the news and increase its visibility.

Social media influencers can also help to create buzz around news by sharing their own opinions and perspectives on the topic. This can be especially effective when influencers have a personal connection to the news, such as when they are advocating for a cause that they are passionate about.

In addition, social media influencers often have a deep understanding of the platforms they use and the audiences they engage with. This knowledge can be leveraged by organizations to ensure that their news is distributed effectively and reaches the right people. For example, an organization looking to reach a younger audience might partner with a TikTok influencer, while an organization targeting business professionals might partner with a LinkedIn influencer.

Ultimately, social media influencers can help organizations distribute news by providing a powerful platform for reaching a large and engaged audience. By leveraging the reach and influence of social media influencers, organizations can increase the visibility of their news and ensure that it reaches the people who are most likely to be interested and engaged.

AI and Technology News:

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being used to personalize the news experience. AI algorithms are able to analyze large amounts of data and identify patterns and trends, which can be used to create personalized news feeds and recommend stories that are relevant and interesting to individual users.

One way that AI is used to curate news stories is through natural language processing (NLP), which is a branch of AI that focuses on understanding and analyzing human language. NLP algorithms can analyze news articles and identify key topics, entities, and sentiments, which can be used to categorize and tag articles.

AI algorithms can also be used to recommend articles based on a user’s reading history and preferences. By analyzing a user’s clickstream data and engagement with articles, AI algorithms can identify patterns and trends in their reading behavior and recommend articles that are likely to be of interest.

Other ways that AI is used to curate news stories is through content classification. AI algorithms can analyze news articles and identify their topic, tone, and relevance, which can be used to categorize and tag articles for easy discovery by readers.

Examples of those other analyzing processes:

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the rapid growth of AI and technology in news feed curation is revolutionizing the way we consume and interact with news. With the ability to analyze vast amounts of data, identify patterns, and personalize content, these technologies have already begun to transform the news industry away from traditional methods. As the demand for personalized content continues to grow, it is clear that AI and technology will continue to play an increasingly important role in news feed curation, helping to deliver relevant, engaging, and timely content to readers around the world. While there are certainly challenges and ethical concerns that must be addressed, the potential benefits of these technologies for both news organizations and readers make it clear that AI and technology will continue to shape the future of news curation for years to come.