BuzzFeed Article

BuzzFeed: Major News Source?

BuzzFeed, an American internet news media company, describes itself as a “social news and entertainment company.” Although according to a recent survey sent out to teachers and students, most use BuzzFeed solely for entertainment purposes.
When asked if BuzzFeed should be considered a major news source, only 36% of teachers and students believe it should. Although people do not see it as a major news source, it is a very popular website in the school. 29% of the surveyed community that uses BuzzFeed uses the site a few times per week, 28% numerous times per day, 20% once per day, and 9% once per day.
66% of the survey participants said they use BuzzFeed for the quizzes. Abby Werwaiss ‘17 explains she only uses BuzzFeed for quizzes when she becomes bored, just as 23% of the survey participants do as well.. In agreement, Anne McKenna ‘17 says, “I only go on BuzzFeed when it pops up on Facebook or Twitter, and I only use it for the quizzes.” 28% of the community says that they use BuzzFeed only when it appears on other social media websites.
Nonetheless, BuzzFeed presents itself as a news source. The homepage contains a column titled, “BuzzFeed News.” It also displays headlines for entertaining stories, but does not contain section for quizzes. Quizzes are featured in a separate tab. Only 30% of the community uses BuzzFeed as a news source.
Regardless of BuzzFeed’s tendency to refer to itself as a news source, some people believe that BuzzFeed is unreliable. In a recent PEW Research Center survey, BuzzFeed placed fifth out of 36 for most distrusted news source. Along with Buzzfeed were programs including The Daily Show, Fox News, and Drudge Report. When asked if she trusts BuzzFeed as a reliable news source, Meghan O’Hara ‘16 replies “Oh definitely not, I only use it for quizzes.”