KUCHING: Nowadays most people consider social media as being better than print media for disseminating news.
Advanced technologies have made social media fast and its network vast, thus spreading news easily throughout the world.
No one knows more about this than the very people who utilise the platform day in and day out. They have firsthand knowledge and therefore have interesting and useful things to say about their experiences.
Ron Lloyd, a 29-year-old flight steward for a local airline agency, said that social media today has greatly changed how news spread and reach viewers, listeners and readers.
“Looking around, I believe that there are still many newspaper readers in Sarawak. On the pros, newspapers have that old feel to them which some people really love, not just to read but also to touch.
“On the cons, newspapers are not environmentally friendly. They waste paper although paper is recyclable.
“On the other hand, social media doesn’t require any paper, just the internet. Smartphones provide so much ease in finding news online,” said Ron when interviewed recently.
He believes that in the next 10 years or so social media would greatly enhance how we receive, perceive and view news online. Because of this, the print media would have to heighten their creativity to engage young readers who are fond of their electronic devices.
“Both media should be appreciated because they are keys to human development and civilisation,” he said.
Kumaresan Krishnan, 28, a doctor at Sarawak General Hospital, noted that social media is easily accessible and very cost effective.
“It delivers more news, has wider reach, and readily provides ongoing news around the world in a matter of seconds,” he said.
“For advertisers they have limited spaces on print media, whereas on social media, they can advertise to their target audience with set budgets.
“In 10 years, more people will definitely opt for mobile digital media,” he said.
Brandan Yeo Unn Lai, 28, an entrepreneur in Miri, prefers social media for the sake of Mother Earth.
“The printed media is good for somebody who loves to read like me but too many trees get cut down just to make paper.
“Therefore, to me it is better if we slowly shift to social media while replanting trees so that one day in the future we can use some elements of paper without damaging the environment,” he said.
To him, social media is in demand today because the new generation is technology driven.
“Technology can assist them in their work or education, but for me, my future kids will use social media only when I allow them or when they have come of age. You see I still believe in social life.
He believes that 10 years from now, social media will be so overpowering that the new generation will sort of “rebel” and use it less because it takes away their valuable time, especially time spent with their families.
Siti Nurbellyna Mohd Benjamin, 19, a student at a local university, said that the benefits of both types of media depend on the facts presented and credibility of news sources.
“Social media is vastly used by people of all ages, and news can spread like wildfire, but it becomes bad when the actual sources of news can’t be verified,” she said, adding that people can easily create rumours or fake news.
Still, she favours social media “as the world rely more and more on technology”.
