http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8973-7484
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Abstract
Political communication has changed drastically in recent years, and in the 2016 election cycle, the messaging app Snapchat entered the arena. Snapchat is a virtually based messaging service that allows users to send and receive time-sensitive, visual messages called “snaps.” This study offers a visual analysis of news delivered via Snapchat, revealing three main themes: hard news sensationalized, soft news sensationalized, and limitations of the platform for political news. While Snapchat does indeed provide hard news to its users, much of it is sensationalized in a manner consistent with the platform but not with contemporary standards of journalism. Snapchat's value and influence as a news source is discussed in further detail.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Jerrica Rowlett
Jerrica Rowlett is a doctoral candidate in the School of Communication at Florida State University. Her research interests include social media, civic engagement and identity management. E-mail: [email protected]
Summer Harlow
Summer Harlow (PhD, University of Texas at Austin) is an assistant professor of journalism in the Jack J. Valenti School of Communication at the University of Houston.