My Media Diet – Shocking, but not a surprise.

A full day off from my part-time job means a full day of studying, music streaming, and social media management. Here is how my day went:

7:00 AM CT – Disturbed Sleep

Due to a poor sleep schedule, I wake up earlier than I have to on my days off. Once I opened my eyes, I immediately checked my phone for the time. Following that, I opened my WhatsApp messages, checking for any incoming notifications.

Once I was done with that, I opened the Red Note app, scrolling for a few minutes before drifting off to sleep again.

10:00 AM CT – Wake up

Practiced Mandarin using Red Note videos.

10:30 AM

Scrolled through Facebook Reels.

10:40 AM

Scrolled through my Meta Business accounts for social media management updates and to check the weekly post planner.

Opened up Apple Music and started streaming playlists for background noise.

11:00 AM

Read through reading materials on Canvas for different courses.

12:30 PM

I switched from Apple Music to YouTube for a change of music. I like listening to live radios to avoid a lot of ads.

1:28 PM

Created a Substack account and subscribed to a few creators.

2:20 PM

I turned on my TV. Through my YouTube TV subscription, I put on some old SNL reruns for a change in background noise/background entertainment.

3:30 PM

Scrolled through Facebook Reels and my news feed.

4:30 PM

Scrolled through my TikTok FYP. One of the last times before the ban.

4:50 PM

Checked my calendar on Canvas.

6:24 PM

Scrolled through Red Note.

7:40 PM

Put on Max streaming and watched an episode of one of my favorite series, 90 Day Fiancé: Last Resort.

8:15 PM

Worked on promotional ad posters on Adobe Express.

8:34 PM

Turned on Apple Music again for some background noise.

8:37 PM

Scrolled through my TikTok FYP.

9:00 PM

Scrolled through Facebook Reels while answering messages on Discord with friends.

What I found…

As the title suggests, I am not surprised by these findings. My main media usage revolves around social media and streaming. I tend to use multiple media pieces at a time, so I am constantly stimulated and scroll through social media timelines.

Watching television used to be a form of traditional media, but I consume it through a streaming service. This conveys that my media choices were all modern forms.

Overall, I don’t find any of these sources credible for media usage. However, due to the convergence of social media and news corporations, I do tend to trust news from TikTok more than any other media source out of the ones I consume today.

News corporations have their own social media accounts, and citizen media has flourished on social media platforms. Through these pieces of media, citizens who are witnessing the situation as it happens can also broadcast it worldwide. This gives us a new perspective to the event rather than through just one lens from news media.

The most credible news sources outside of this media diary are The New York Times and The BBC. These examples are news media powerhouses who have established their credibility for reporting.

The New York Times publicly issues corrections, taking accountability for mistakes and valuing their integrity as a renowned news source.

BBC News is another source that I trust, especially for global news. Their editorial standards aim to provide impartial news with stories worldwide. Although news bias is hard to avoid, I can trust a source that aspires to remain vigilant in impartial reporting and avoid political influence.