Mainstream media versus social media

Another educational and interesting article from professor Randy David on the United States presidential debate on ABC recently (“How TikTok is shaping politics, 9/15/24). When he dissected the debate and its effects on voters, professor David acted not only as a journalist but as a social scientist quoting Niklas Luhmann on the societal function of the mass media in his 1994 book “The Reality of the Mass Media.”

He noted the vast differences between the comments on mainstream media and those on social media platforms after the debate. With its interactive digital platforms, social media is more visual. I wish there’ be more current literature similar to Luhmann’s on the effects of social media platforms like TikTok and Facebook.

Professor David was right too when he said that, “From mere passive consumers, today’s audiences have become active producers of mass communications.” He noted that, unfortunately, “audiences have become less cerebral.” (In my own words: less intelligent, or in Filipino, bobo, etc.) This is true not only in the US but more so in the Philippines.

This is an excellent piece of journalism since as a true journalist, professor David did not endorse Kamala Harris or Donald Trump. This column deserves to be published in regular US papers like The New York Times and/or The Wall Street Journal and others.

Ida M. Tiongco,

idationgco@gmail.com