Snapchat has an untapped feature that has the potential to be a fantastic tool for journalists. This simple function can give you boots on the ground in real time and may have a big impact on your narrative.
Similar to Google Maps, Snapchat Map (or Snap Maps) displays your current position and helps you find nearby live events and stories. But you can also explore posts from users around the world. This can be used for reporting breaking news, as well as being a useful OSINT tool for investigative reporters.
A great source of footage
The map shows geo-located user-generated content. This can be useful when needing footage of an event when you don’t have journalist in the area. You can use it to find out about current affairs or live events that could become breaking news. As Snapchat users provide live updates with footage, journalists can utilise the app to provide supplements to their reporting.
Snap Maps can be used for fact-checking
Snap Maps can be used to fact check news or events, enabling precise and accurate reporting. Because the videos are time-stamped and geo-located, journalists can build a picture of what is happening from different angles and can create a timeline of events. Journalists may benefit from keeping a record of breaking events, making corrections to the news, or quickly disseminating information about recent changes, updates, or discoveries. This can be a really useful tool for investigative journalists.
How to use Snap Maps
You can use Snap Maps on desktop or in your mobile app. The map uses colour to show where stories are being posted – a bit like a heat map. The more intense the colour, the more stories are being posted in that area. These heat spots are dispersed across the map. Tap or click on an area of the map to open stories from that location. Also, You can use the search bar to look for events, landmarks, or locations.
