Influence of Social Media on Journalists' Work Patterns in the Digital Era

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of social media on journalists' work patterns in the digital era. The rapid development of digital platforms has transformed how journalists collect, process, and disseminate information, as well as interact with their audience. Using a quantitative research design with descriptive and associative approaches, data were collected from 30 journalism students who had completed practical journalistic activities. A structured questionnaire was administered online, and data were analyzed using simple linear regression with SPSS Statistic 27. The results show that social media significantly affects journalists' work patterns, with a positive relationship indicated by a regression coefficient of 0.734 and a determination coefficient (R²) of 0.518. Findings suggest that social media enhances the speed of information acquisition, facilitates real-time news dissemination, increases interaction with audiences, and supports multitasking in digital journalism. The study concludes that social media is an integral tool that reshapes journalistic practices, demanding both technical skills and professional ethics. These insights highlight the necessity for journalists to adapt to digital transformations to maintain efficiency, credibility, and accuracy in news production.