My 2 cents On: Youtube Pioneering Modern-Day Video Journalism

A while back I read 'Sticky Fingers - The Life & Times of Jann Wenner' by Joe Hagan and was enthralled by the story of The Rolling Stones founder. His legions of legendary journalists he'd commissioned to cover pop culture in the latter part of the 20th Century.

Heroes of mine such as Hunter S. Thompson, Annie Leibowitz and Cameron Crowe, were woven throughout the magazine's origin story. As I read through the book, I'd finish a chapter and jump to its image gallery, desperate to see how close my imagination had been to the real thing. Squinting my eyes so as to not see too many of the images that might ruin the following pages. After completing the book, thirsty for more, I looked to the internet, and eventually, YouTube, being the go-to platform to discover more. This got me thinking as to how often I do this. Being an avid magazine hoarder and subscriber, I love learning something new from within the pages of a magazine and thankfully still a largely human-curated medium. Trusting the editorial team to guide me through new stories I haven't heard of or been algorithmically suggested. My magazine subscriptions are sacred, and lately after one too many turns from page to platform, I've begun treating my youtube subscriptions similarly. This past year, it's been where I've spent most of my screen time, and instead of feeling anxious, or wondering where I've been the past few minutes or what I was doing? I feel enriched and inspired to be creative, do more, and even read more. Recently a colleague asked if I thought Youtube was better than TikTok (the platform with the highest social engagement rate) for growing your media profile.

This is my two cents:

In the digital age, journalism has undergone a radical transformation, with traditional media companies rapidly adapting to the ever-changing landscape. Amidst this shift, this platform has emerged as the vanguard of modern-day journalism. YouTube's format, especially in the form of mini-documentaries, has made news and information more accessible to the masses like never before.

Accessibility is a crucial factor that has catapulted YouTube to the forefront of journalism. With a staggering 2 billion logged-in monthly users, YouTube has become a giant in the media world, allowing anyone with an internet connection to access a vast array of content on diverse topics.

The rise of mini-documentaries on YouTube has played a pivotal role in its journalistic impact. These concise yet informative videos offer a balanced blend of truthful visual storytelling, expert interviews, and evidence-based reporting. Creators have mastered the art of conveying complex issues in an engaging manner, keeping the audience captivated and informed. Immense viewership indicates a strong appetite for in-depth journalism presented in a slightly more digestible format than comparative and traditional long-form articles. Unfortunately, fewer and fewer people read. Just ask a few of your nearest and dearest. Video content has gained traction due to its inherent visual appeal and ease of consumption.

Although the majority of internet users maybe prefer watching videos over reading articles. I believe video possesses an unparalleled ability to ignite interest and curiosity, making it a valuable ally in promoting magazines and encouraging reading. By leveraging the visual and emotional appeal of video, publishers can effectively engage audiences and create a symbiotic relationship between digital content and the printed page. The dynamic combination of video and reading fosters a well-informed and curious audience, enriching the overall media experience in the modern digital age and helping you gain a long-term subscriber-based audience.

This shift in preference is evident in the success of digital media publishing companies like Vox , which has garnered millions of subscribers on YouTube through its engaging visual storytelling.

Nor has YouTube's success not gone unnoticed by media-publishing industry leaders. Traditional media giants like Condé Nast , renowned for publications like GQ Magazine and Vanity Fair , have ventured further into video journalism, with a focus on their Youtube channels and recognising the potential of reaching wider audiences for their magazine. By leveraging platforms like YouTube, Instagram , and TikTok , they've successfully expanded their reach to younger demographics and engaged users who might not typically read their articles but now decide to, after subscribing via their curated channels.?

Why is YouTube the desired platform for visual story-telling??

YouTube's platform excels in allowing journalists and creators like supaastudio to tell a more comprehensive story. The longer format of YouTube videos enables creators to delve deeper into issues, providing viewers with a more profound understanding of complex topics. Unlike TikTok or Instagram, where content must be condensed into short, snappy videos suited for quick consumption. However, this does not diminish the role of TikTok and Instagram in the realm of modern-day journalism. These platforms possess unique strengths, such as their algorithms' ability to amplify content to a vast user base. Leveraging these platforms for promoting journalistic articles on YouTube or other long-form platforms can serve as an effective symbiosis, drawing viewers from diverse social media audiences.

For instance, a media company could use TikTok to showcase and promote short, attention-grabbing snippets also known as 'cut-downs' that act as teasers for longer journalistic pieces on YouTube. The TikTok video could offer a glimpse into the topic and provide a link to the full video, encouraging users to dive deeper into the story. This cross-platform strategy would maximize visibility and enhance the potential to reach a more extensive audience and more informative story.

In conclusion, it's my opinion that YouTube has emerged as the leader in modern-day journalism, revolutionizing the way information is consumed and distributed. Its mini-documentary format offers a compelling means to make news more accessible to the masses, backed by statistics that showcase many of the greater public's preferences for video content over traditional articles.

Major media companies, recognizing this trend, have strategically embraced YouTube and other platforms to expand their reach and engage with new audiences. While TikTok, Instagram, and the likes, boast algorithmic advantages, YouTube's extended format remains unrivaled in telling comprehensive and in-depth stories. By leveraging the strengths of each platform, media companies can create a symbiotic relationship that enhances their journalistic impact and broadens their reach in this digital age.

Side note - Although 'Sticky Fingers' is incredibly written and highly enjoyable, it was lambasted by Wenner as “deeply flawed and tawdry”. So, I've started reading his "Like A Rolling Stone" memoir that followed subsequently to get the two sides of my two cents coin. As of now, I'd suggest either are highly recommendable reads for those interested in journalism, pop culture, and the past media landscape.