Right now, it’s hard to avoid stories about the coronavirus or the economy. ATVN has done coverage day after day and will continue to do so for the next couple of weeks. As important as it is for people to know those updates, our Monday team thought we could use a bit of a break.
Each producing team had to come up with a segment that we could do every week for the rest of the semester. The idea had to have an overall theme that could apply to multiple stories. When my producing partner, Myra Wu, said she wanted to do something fun, I had just the idea.
I have been interested in reporting on social media throughout my entire time here at Annenberg. I think I find it so fascinating because it is something that I and the rest of my generation have seen from the beginning. It influences so much of people’s media conception, and now it has become an escape and a way to connect more than ever. Celebrities are using TikTok and Instagram Live, and late-night TV hosts are relying on at-home studios similar to what YouTubers have been doing for years. So, I thought we could talk to people who create content for these platforms to discuss their experiences. That idea became our new segment: Swipe Up.
Preparing for this new segment, I was searching for stories in a different way than I usually do. I scrolled through Instagram and TikTok, trying to find people we could interview. We gave the segment to our weather anchor, Monica Cooper, and involved her in the process. She told us about someone who had an exchange with Lizzo on TikTok, and suddenly we had the fun uplifting story we wanted. This was a story that I don’t think we would have covered if it wasn’t for this segment. But watching it come together, I was happy we did.
It was nice to step outside of the COVID-19 news mindset and look at our coverage from a different angle. The challenge to start this segment allowed me to look at today’s events in a different way. Even though so many industries are at a standstill, people’s lives are still going on especially online. I think it’s a pleasant reminder that we are in an era with an abundance to do just through a screen. Social media can be a place of connection and joy to help us through this difficult time. If not, at least we have Lizzo.