The advent of social media platforms due to the unprecedented growth in Information and Communication Technology has played a pivotal role in disrupting the modus operandi of virtually all business operations. The journalism profession is not exempted from the insurmountable impact of social media, as journalism has undergone a significant transformation necessitated by the proliferation of social media platforms in this present domain.Social media has transformed traditional newsrooms by speeding up the delivery process and providing journalists with tools to track trends, share updates, and collaborate with peers globally.Against this backdrop, this study investigated the impacts of social media on news gathering and delivery in Nigerian Tribune newspaper. The study population comprised journalists in Nigerian Tribune newspaper. The study was anchored on the Diffusion of Innovation Theory. The study employed a qualitative approach, using in-depth interviews as the research method. The purposive sampling technique was used to select respondents sampled for the study. The findings revealed that journalists at The Nigerian Tribune extensively utilize social media tools for news gathering and dissemination as participants noted that platforms like Twitter and Facebook are crucial for sourcing real-time information and monitoring breaking news. Results also indicated that several challenges such as poor internet connectivity, technical glitches, and difficulties in verifying information sourced from social media are faced by journalists at The Nigerian Tribune when using digital tools for news gathering and delivery. The study recommended that media organizations should ensure regular assessment of social media strategies and their impact on news delivery as this can help identify areas for improvement.
Vol. 4, No 2, pp. 151-161.