The emergence of influential figures who spread information online
Rebranding Journalism: New Wave News on YouTube
27-year-old Alexane Drolet, formerly of Radio-Canada, is stepping into the limits of journalism, venturing into the world of YouTube content creation. As part of the upcoming The New Conquerors of Info panel at the Carleton-sur-Mer Journalism Festival, Drolet's new platform Alexplique will focus on short, dynamic, educational news capsules aimed at young audiences who shun traditional media.
This bold move by Drolet follows in the footsteps of established YouTube stars like Gaspard G in France, and homegrown talents such as Émile Roy and Farnell Morisset in Quebec. In the United States, content creators like Mo News are leveraging the influencer model to deliver news with authenticity and consistency, attracting millions of followers.
Old-school Meets New-school
Veteran influencer Dominic Arpin, a pioneer in the art of blending journalism and content creation, provides a prime example. Once a journalist focused on television production, Arpin now views himself as an influencer, striking partnerships with brands and dictating the terms of his content creation.
Similarly, Alexane Drolet plans to merge the worlds of influence and journalism, forming strong community ties, and exposing parts of her personal life to resonate with her audience. This hybrid approach is seen as the future of journalism, where journalists must understand that they are, in essence, a media and a brand.
Road to Digital Independence
Crowdfunding offers another path to digital independence for new info conquerors. Chris Curtis, founder of The Rover, switched from traditional journalism, citing constraints, to create a digital-first publication focusing on in-depth reporting and investigative journalism. Supported by his community, Curtis publishes articles, free newsletters, and offers the opportunity for donations.
In contrast to many "infomediaries" that lean right, The Rover claims a stance of old-school journalistic neutrality while operating on new bases of popular funding and digital distribution. Minimedia like this, such as The Public Record, cover municipal news and aim to serve democracy, with reporter Joey Coleman working solo and covering a wide range of topics.
Future Gazing:
As audiences gravitate towards authentic, engaging, and trusted sources for news, new platforms like Alexplique, The Rover, and Mo News, will likely grow, gaining traction in Canada, France, and beyond. The future of influencer-driven news podcasts and channels will be characterized by enhanced monetization, influencer-journalist hybrids, and cross-platform expansion, reshaping the way we consume, perceive, and fund news.
- Technology has opened up new avenues for journalism, as demonstrated by Alexane Drolet's decision to create educational news capsules on her YouTube platform, Alexplique, merging culture and technology to engage young audiences.
- Finance plays a crucial role in the digital revolution of journalism. Crowdfunding, for instance, allows journalists to seek financial support from their audience, promoting independence and enabling platforms like The Rover to focus on in-depth reporting and investigative journalism in the field of education-and-self-development.
- Social media is a powerful tool for influencers like Gaspard G, Émile Roy, Farnell Morisset, Mo News, and Alexane Drolet, who leverage their platforms to deliver authentic and consistent news, bridging the gap between entertainment and business.
- As the landscape of journalism continues to evolve, careers in this field will demand a unique blend of traditional journalistic values and the ability to adapt to digital platforms and social media strategies, transforming the way we consume and perceive news in the future.
