As a seasoned gamer and avid follower of online content, I can wholeheartedly say that this shift from traditional network news to YouTube pundits has been a game-changer for me. It’s like swapping out an old, dusty strategy guide for a live, interactive walkthrough with fellow enthusiasts.
YouTube personalities who spend hours live on their channels discussing and analyzing the day’s trending topics from various perspectives. They go by names such as Akademiks and Kempire, who focus on hip-hop and pop culture; Emily D. Baker and the Florida Law Man, who break down legal news and court filings; and shows like Popcorned Planet, Legal AF, The Art of Dialogue, and my personal favorite, Tisa Tells.
It’s interesting to note that I’m not alone in moving away from traditional broadcast and cable news towards YouTube. In fact, according to a Pew Research Center study, an impressive 54% of American adults now obtain some of their information from YouTube news channels, with 25% doing so regularly. Interestingly, it’s women who dominate this new audience, making up a significant 57%.
If you find yourself among those who haven’t seen these shows yet, you’ll notice they lack the polished studio sets with anchors and roundtables that you might see on CNN, MSNBC, or Fox. Instead, most hosts use just a webcam and a ring light for their equipment. There are typically no producers involved, and no teleprompter either. Often, these hosts are offering real-time analysis, gathering information from social media and the internet, and relying on their audience to help complete their thoughts.
In a consistent manner, Tisa’s daily broadcasts commence with an energetic host, whose 5-year-old channel boasting close to half a million subscribers, addressing the audience with a familiar greeting such as “Heyyyy, what’s up, guys?” and continuing by saying something like, “If your name is [mention of the day’s trending topic]…”. She then discusses the controversy at hand, shares relevant documentation, offers her thoughts, and swiftly responds to a torrent of comments. For certain subjects, she may talk uninterruptedly for three hours or more. Tisa has produced over 1,000 videos focusing on Diddy’s sex trafficking trial and its intricate aspects.
Tisa labels her broadcast style as “infotainment,” positioning herself as Karma’s chief correspondent. In my opinion, she could excel as a prosecutor or courtroom judge due to her knack for simplifying complex legal jargon into terms easily understood by children. Similarly, Akademiks might consider a career switch to investigative work. His detailed analysis of the May rap battle between Kendrick Lamar and Drake demonstrated exceptional skills in information gathering, despite subtle attempts by different parties to sway his perspective.
Indeed, these broadcasters don’t have a specific department for standards and practices, nor a deeply ingrained culture of journalistic ethics. However, YouTube does enforce stringent community guidelines, and experienced hosts can sometimes circumvent automated censorship (hence their use of seemingly cryptic language such as referring to “PDF files” instead of explicit terms like “pedophiles”). As for fact-checking, or ensuring the accuracy of the news they disseminate, broadcasters like Tisa claim to rely on top-tier sources, and they strive to confirm each statement using at least five different methods, such as public records.
As a devoted gamer streaming on YouTube, I’ve noticed that when you manage to attract a substantial viewer base, there are opportunities for financial gain. Monetizing my content through the platform is one approach, but enthusiastic fans often contribute financially via “super chats.” These donations, ranging from $1 to over $100, ensure your chat gets premium visibility.
What makes these novice news presenters so captivating, according to Tisa? She explains that a significant factor is their delivery style. Hers, she compares to Wendy Williams rather than Walter Cronkite. “You have the freedom to delve as deeply or casually as you wish,” she says. “My role is to constantly monitor everything, pay attention, analyze documents, and draw connections.
At times, it involves reading out court documents and pausing to clarify legal procedures, summarize past events, or search for relevant documents online. The interpretation of context is subjective to the presenter, and Tisa points out that during the Diddy trial, mainstream media was initially quite reserved in their reporting. She ponders how their perspective might have differed if they had listened to public discussions about the case over the last decade or so.
As for politics, you inquire? I’d say it’s the timeless chatter, reflecting on how I would have delved into the enigma of a figure like John F. Kennedy. I would have dived headfirst into that rabbit hole, unraveling its mysteries.
Growth of her channel, which is approaching 500,000 subscribers, has been “organic,” she says, adding that there is no “master career plan” per se. Brands have reached out to her and PR firms try to pitch clients and products. She has no representation and is a true one-woman operation. “I’ve gotten used to being my own boss,” says Tisa. “I’m open to any and all opportunities and would like to expand to different avenues. But I will say that, whatever the future holds, I will be firmly in control of what I want to put out. For that, I’m eternally grateful to YouTube.”
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2024-12-20 00:24