Opinion | Writing for readers in a world run by algorithms
Summary
The article explores how columnists must adapt to a media landscape dominated by algorithms and social media, where emotional engagement often trumps factual analysis.
Key Points
- Columnists today must compete with algorithms and social media that prioritize emotional and rapid content over reflective prose.
- Prime Minister Balendra Shah utilizes emotional rhetoric effectively on social media to shift political debates.
- The commercialisation of public discourse has transformed columnists into brands who perform for audience engagement rather than purely inform.
- Despite challenges, column writing remains crucial for democracies as it helps interpret chaotic events and provide meaning beyond facts.
