It’s the newest social media platform on the block, and Bluesky is already proving to be an excellent asset for journalists. This decentralised, community-managed platform is proving to be the antithesis of what X has become, and for some, a reflection of what Twitter once was.

However, low user numbers in comparison with the big guns might prove to be a barrier to how helpful it can actually be. We take a brief look at what this new platform might mean for journalists.

What is Bluesky?

This platform was launched as an independent platform in 2021 by previous Twitter co-founder, Jack Dorsey. It is a micro-blogging social media platform, comparable to X. Users can post short-form messages, as well as images and videos. It is currently used by 1% of the UK market, compared to 25% on X.

Quality over Quantity

So, despite the far lower usage, what is it about Bluesky that suggests it might be a great source for journalists? It all comes down to the type of users who are choosing to leave X for Bluesky, which includes those who made the change in light of the US 2024 Election result. It’s also down to the way that news is displayed on the platform, in a more chronological order.

Importantly, Bluesky is decentralised and community-managed, and users have more control over their feeds. It’s also been said that Bluesky aims to move away from the fake news that has become synonymous with X, which means that the content will be more credible and accurate, making it a far better source for journalists.

Sourcing News from Social Media

Learning how to source news stories from social media is an essential tool in the journalist’s kitbag. Budding journalists can learn more about the role that social media can play from journalism courses, such as those available at https://schoolofjournalism.co.uk.

Journalists should certainly keep an eye on what happens on Bluesky over the coming year. If user numbers increase as predicted, this platform could prove to be a very valuable, and credible, source for journalists.