Facebook Extends Broadcast Service To Journalists
Facebook has extended live streaming update (previously limited to celebrities) to journalists, who can use it to cover breaking news, behind-the-scenes footages, etc.
Facebook has taken a measure to appease the stakeholders of the media sector. Facebook news affirmed that it wants more journalists to utilize its network as a distribution tool of choice. Thus, it is introducing a new feature for reporters that would allow them to stream live on its platform.
The social media enterprise has stated that verified experts, journalists, and other influencers would now be allowed to employ its ‘Mentions’ app previously only available for selected celebrities.
Facebook news today revealed that this latest update would enable journalists to broadcast themselves on the social media network during behind-the-scenes reports, breaking news, or to broadcast Questions and Answers with followers, among other opportunities. A Facebook employee, Vadim Lavrusik, stated, “We want to make Facebook a better experience for journalists whether it’s used for news-gathering or better connecting with readers or to drive distribution to their content”.
Facebook breaking news informed that Mentions feature also helps users to find out what people are stating about them, pursue topics of their interest, discover what’s trending on the platform, and enjoy a greater capability to determine with whom they share their posts. These updates were earlier only provided to celebrities and public personalities, but now it wants any expert or journalist with approved Page or Profile to access Mentions. To verify his or her profile, it stated that everyone can apply, but only qualified ones would be endorsed.
Facebook’s extension to utilize its Mentions application is quite sensible. Catering to a large audience is becoming convenient online. Mentions was introduced in 2014, but broadcasting through the software only became available last month. Its rival, Twitter, obtained live streaming application, Periscope, previously this year pursuing the fanfare of the competing live streaming service, Meerkat.
One could hope that by extending the scope its broadcasting feature, Facebook would attract a significant number of journalists towards its network. If that takes place, users would witnesses enriched news in newsfeed in real-time, which serves as another reason to sign up to Facebook.
Analysts believe that the media-friendly initiative would not only improve its relationship with journalists but also help it to expand in the corporate world. Its officials should promote the new service to meet the expectations of the media sector. The social media is the new mainstream source of yellow journalism, where people share news extensively. Thus, it provides a viable opportunity to capitalize and target such enthusiasts. Facebook is indeed cashing in tremendously on it.
