The new information influencers

This month, we're looking at a topic that is transforming our industry: the way we get our news in the age of social platforms. Long dominated by traditional media, information now goes through a new generation of journalists and creators who use Instagram, TikTok and YouTube to reach younger audiences, with more accessible and personal formats. A shift that is all the more striking in the current context, as the blocking of Canadian news on Meta continues to limit access to information for a large part of the population.

• Lambert Drainville, content creator and news explainer, recognized for his accessible and nuanced clips on political and social issues. With a background in politics, notably with the Bloc Québécois and Lionel Carmant’s office, he now offers an informed perspective on the dynamics shaping public debate.

• Farnell Morisset, lawyer, engineer and content creator followed by nearly 120,000 people, who explains complex subjects related to the economy, institutions and sociopolitical issues with rigor. Through his platforms and media collaborations, he helps bring the news closer to the public.                

Social platforms are redefining the way we get informed today. In a context where nearly one in two Quebecers consumes news via these channels, short formats make it possible to reach audiences that are moving away from traditional media. This transformation, however, raises key questions: Can information truly be democratized without compromising its quality? Can information remain rigorous in an environment dominated by speed and immediacy? How do we distinguish between information, opinion and entertainment on social platforms?

Rather than an opposition, a complementarity is taking shape between media and creators. The former ensure rigor and depth, the latter bring closeness and accessibility. But this balance requires great responsibility: simplifying without distorting.

An episode that highlights the transformation of information in the age of social media, and the new dynamics redefining the way we get informed.

See you next month for a new episode of Filles de comm, the Thara Communications podcast powered by Grenier.