Entangled journalists? A generational approach to the use and perception of social media within the profession

Abstract

Social media has evolved from being optional to becoming an indispensable tool in both the personal and professional spheres of journalism. This study analyses the uses of these platforms and perceptions of technological change within the journalistic profession. A qualitative methodology was employed, based on four focus groups representing different stages related to journalism: pre-university students, journalism students, junior journalists, and senior journalists. The findings reveal no significant gender differences, except in relation to experiences of harassment on the X platform reported by female participants. However, clear generational differences emerge in patterns of social media use, stratified by age: X is preferred by senior participants, Instagram by junior journalists and university students, and TikTok and Telegram by younger participants. Perceptions of technological change are more homogeneous, with criticism directed mainly at media organisations for their limited capacity to adapt and invest. While senior journalists acknowledge limited knowledge of the potential uses of these platforms, junior journalists emphasise the workload they entail. These findings contribute to a better understanding of how journalism is being transformed in a digital environment marked by generational segmentation and the need for greater institutional adaptation.