Embedding Elites: Examining the Use of Tweets Embedded in Online News Articles across Reliable and Fringe Outlets

This study examines the use of embedded tweets in online news media. In particular, we add to the previous literature by exploring embedded tweets across reliable and unreliable news outlets. We use a mixed-method analysis to examine how the function and frequency of embedded tweets change across outlet reliability and news topic. We find that, no matter the outlet reliability, embedded tweets are most often used to relay the opinions of elites, to syndicate information from another news source, or to self-cite information an outlet previously produced. Our results also show some notable differences between reliable media and fringe media's use of tweets. Namely, fringe media embed tweets more and use those tweets as the source of news more than reliable media. Our work adds to the literature on hybrid media systems and the normalization of social media in journalism.
Comment: MeLa Lab Preliminary Findings Report