Social platforms have reshaped news—here’s what that means for brands

Social media has upended the news industry in ways few could have predicted. What was once the domain of legacy broadcasters and print powerhouses is now a chaotic, fast-moving ecosystem shaped by a handful of dominant platforms—Facebook, TikTok, Snap, X, and Instagram. These platforms aren’t just changing how news is shared—they’re rewriting the rules of who gets to publish, what gets amplified, and how audiences engage.

This report unpacks the deep, ongoing transformation of the news landscape. From the explosion of citizen journalism and algorithm-driven curation to the collapse of traditional business models, it explores how news is produced, distributed, and consumed today – and what’s coming next.

More importantly, it asks a critical question: Are brands and communications professionals keeping up? Or are they stuck in old ways of thinking, risking irrelevance in a media world that’s evolving at breakneck speed?

Backed by original research and insider interviews, this is essential reading for anyone concerned about what the future of media holds – and how to stay ahead of it.