Story Credit Cypress Chronicle Staff
Photo by: Viviana Valencia Editor-In-Chief
Before Google was introduced to the public, it operated under the placeholder name BackRub in 1996. Shortly after, on Sept. 4, 1998, Russian-American Stanford graduate Sergey Brin, a computer scientist and entrepreneur, co-founded Google with Larry Page, a University of Michigan graduate. That date is now recognized as the official launch of Google. The search engine transformed the way people access and retain information, becoming an open outlet for knowledge available to the public.
On Jan. 9, 2007, Steve Jobs announced the release of the first-generation iPhone at the Macworld Conference & Expo in San Francisco. The accessibility of smartphones forced news outlets to adapt, creating apps to deliver news directly to users’ devices. News updates became instantaneous, and ordinary citizens were often able to report events before journalists arrived. However, the surge of information also brought the rise of false news. Anyone could post content online, making it challenging for users to separate fact from fiction. News organizations had to quickly adapt to new trends and integrate into the digital landscape.
Snapchat, launched in 2011 by Stanford students Evan Spiegel, Bobby Murphy and Reggie Brown, became a new resource for sharing news through photos and videos. In 2014, Snapchat curated user-generated snaps from specific events into live stories, allowing people to explore and discover more. In January 2015, the app launched “Discover,” a section featuring curated content from major editorial partners such as CNN, ESPN, Vice and The New York Times. This enabled professional news outlets to reach younger audiences directly through visually dynamic formats. In 2017, Snapchat added the map feature, allowing users to view public geolocated stories worldwide, giving journalists a new tool for verifying and sourcing breaking news.
Over the last few decades, the U.S. government has used news outlets to support its agendas and discredit opponents. During the Trump administration, President Donald Trump often praised outlets such as Fox News, Fox & Friends and the New York Post. These organizations largely endorsed Trump and published positive coverage of him. However, when news reports were critical of the president or his associates, Trump publicly discredited the outlet, often labeling it “fake news” to challenge its credibility.
In the past decade, artificial intelligence has begun to influence daily life, including journalism. AI is used in newsrooms for transcribing interviews, finding sources, and uncovering stories already available online. It can accelerate the release of breaking news and enhance the efficiency of reporting. When used responsibly, AI has the potential to strengthen media organizations worldwide.
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