The reason for writing this article is that, as part of the PR industry, I have noticed a drastic change due to the social media revolution. When I started my PR journey, journalists used to write stories or take articles based on 'The Good Story Peg.' They used to see how strong our stories were to tell people, stories that might inspire and interest them. It was never about fame or the number of social media followers and engagements you had. It was purely PR and good journalism based on relationships and great stories.
To give you more context, I recently had an incident with the editor-in-chief of a popular magazine group (who happens to be my friend as well). I pitched a story about one of my clients, who, at an early age, achieved so much on her own and made a difference in society through her art. The first thing the editor asked me was to share her Instagram profile, and when I did, the editor rejected it on the spot. When I asked why, the reply was shocking. The editor casually responded that my client doesn't have many followers, so it would not benefit them.
This was just one instance, but similar things happen regularly. That reply made me think about how PR and media have changed over time. I am not blaming journalists for not taking news based on stories anymore; I am sure they must have pressure from upper management. It is just so upsetting to see that in a world full of social media likes, followers, and engagements, we have forgotten to read great stories and consume only those that see more interaction on social media.
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