Livestreaming impacting journalism

Livestreaming and Journalism: Navigating the Challenges in a Digital Age

Soraya Malik in Culture & Society August 2025 • 4 min read.

"How citizen journalism is reshaping news and the ethical dilemmas for modern media."

In today's rapidly evolving media landscape, livestreaming has emerged as a powerful tool, blurring the lines between traditional journalism and citizen reporting. The rise of platforms like Facebook Live and Periscope has enabled ordinary individuals to capture and share real-time events, often bypassing traditional media outlets. This shift presents both opportunities and challenges for journalists and the media industry as a whole.

The events of July 6 and 7, 2016, serve as stark examples of this phenomenon. The shooting of Philando Castile by police in Falcon Heights, Minnesota, and the Dallas shootout involving five police officers gained worldwide attention not through traditional news channels, but through onlookers' smartphones and live video streams. These incidents highlighted the immediacy and raw authenticity that livestreaming can offer, captivating audiences in ways that traditional reporting sometimes cannot.

This article delves into the multifaceted challenges that livestreaming poses to journalism. From the collapse of traditional economic models to the proliferation of fake news and the ethical considerations surrounding graphic imagery, we will explore how these issues are reshaping the profession. Additionally, we'll examine the critical problem of information inequality, where access to high-quality media production remains unevenly distributed, leaving many citizens underserved.

How Livestreaming is Changing the News Game

For decades, news dissemination was primarily the domain of professional journalists and established media organizations. Ordinary individuals were typically relegated to the roles of interviewees or archetypes within news narratives. However, the advent of camera-equipped mobile phones in the early 2000s marked a turning point. User-generated content (UGC) began to surface, amplified by the burgeoning growth of social media platforms.

While the 2004 South Asian tsunami served as a watershed moment, it was the 2005 London bombings where the impact of UGC became undeniable. Stills and videos captured by ordinary citizens were deemed 'more newsworthy than professional content,' signaling a shift in media consumption and production. The traditional concept of gatekeeping, where journalists controlled the flow of information, evolved into 'gatewatching,' where individuals actively monitored and shared information.

Citizen Journalism: Everyday people can report events, creating new perspectives and immediate updates.
Authenticity: Livestreamed content is perceived as raw and unfiltered, attracting viewers seeking transparency.
Challenges to Traditional Media: News outlets must adapt to compete with real-time, citizen-generated content.
Ethical Considerations: Questions arise about privacy, accuracy, and the emotional impact of unfiltered news.

The rise of UGC and livestreaming has disrupted the traditional media landscape, prompting journalists to grapple with evolving roles, ethical dilemmas, and the need to adapt to a more participatory and democratized news ecosystem. As technology continues to advance, these challenges will likely intensify, requiring innovative solutions and a renewed commitment to journalistic integrity.

Navigating the Future of Journalism in the Age of Livestreaming

As livestreaming continues to permeate the media landscape, it's crucial for journalists, media organizations, and the public to adapt and evolve. By embracing transparency, fostering critical thinking, and upholding ethical standards, we can harness the power of livestreaming to create a more informed, engaged, and democratic society. The future of journalism depends on our ability to navigate these challenges effectively and responsibly.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1177/1464884918806753, Alternate LINK

Title: Why Livestreaming Symbolises Journalism’S Current Challenges

Subject: Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)

Journal: Journalism

Publisher: SAGE Publications

Authors: Glenda Cooper

Published: 2018-12-19

Everything You Need To Know

How did livestreaming impact the coverage of events like the Philando Castile shooting, and what are the implications for traditional journalism?

Livestreaming provides immediacy and authenticity, as seen in the coverage of the Philando Castile shooting and the Dallas shootout, offering raw, unfiltered content that captivates audiences. However, the lack of traditional journalistic processes raises concerns about accuracy, context, and potential emotional distress caused by graphic content. The challenge lies in balancing the benefits of real-time reporting with the need for responsible journalism.

In what ways does citizen journalism reshape the landscape of news, and what challenges does this present to traditional media outlets?

Citizen journalism reshapes news by enabling everyday people to report events, offering new perspectives and immediate updates, challenging traditional media's role as gatekeepers. The rise of user-generated content (UGC), amplified by social media platforms, has led to a more participatory news ecosystem where individuals actively monitor and share information. This shift requires journalists to adapt to evolving roles and ethical dilemmas.

What does the shift from gatekeeping to gatewatching mean for the role of journalists, and how does this impact the consumption and production of news?

The shift from gatekeeping to gatewatching signifies a move from journalists controlling the flow of information to individuals actively monitoring and sharing information. This change, accelerated by user-generated content (UGC) and social media, means traditional news outlets must compete with real-time, citizen-generated content. The implication is that traditional media needs to adapt by verifying and contextualizing information rapidly to maintain credibility and relevance.

What ethical considerations arise from the use of livestreaming in journalism, particularly concerning privacy, accuracy, and emotional impact?

Ethical considerations arise from livestreaming due to potential privacy violations, accuracy concerns, and the emotional impact of unfiltered news. Graphic content, misinformation, and the lack of professional journalistic standards can lead to significant challenges. Addressing these considerations requires a renewed commitment to journalistic integrity, fostering critical thinking, and promoting transparency.

How has the advent of camera-equipped mobile phones and social media platforms altered the traditional dissemination of news, and what are the broader consequences for journalism's economic and ethical foundations?

The rise of camera-equipped mobile phones and platforms like Facebook Live and Periscope has democratized news dissemination, allowing ordinary individuals to capture and share real-time events. This shift challenges the traditional economic models of journalism, as news outlets must adapt to compete with citizen-generated content. Moreover, concerns about privacy, accuracy, and the emotional impact of unfiltered news have spurred discussions about ethical standards.