From clicks to community: how social media reshapes Leo Cruzat’s journalism
By Nolan Hehir on November 10, 2025
Social media has become one of the most useful tools for journalists. It connects reporters with communities, helps them find stories, and gives audiences a voice in local news. For CityNews video journalist Leo Andrew Cruzat, it is an essential part of how he discovers and tells stories that matter to Edmontonians, but it can also be a double-edged sword.
Cruzat is a graduate of NAIT’s Radio and Television program and reports on education, community, and science stories. He says social media has changed not only how journalists find information but also how they interact with the public.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Q: How do you use social media in your role as a journalist?
A: I use social media to connect with people in Edmonton. When there is a large event or issue, such as a fire, protest, or strike, it is often the first place I look. It helps me reach people directly affected by what is happening. During the teacher strike, for example, I used social media to find parents who were willing to talk about how it impacted their children.
Q: How do you personally use social media outside of work? Do you keep it separate from your job?
A: I try to keep my personal and professional accounts separate. Personally, I use social media mostly to stay in touch with friends. I do not post often and I avoid doomscrolling. Even then, it sometimes helps me make professional connections later on.
Q: Which social media platforms do you find most valuable for your work?
A: Reddit and Facebook are the most helpful. Reddit has smaller communities that share things you will not find elsewhere, and Facebook groups are useful for finding local stories. Instagram helps because it is visual, and X, which used to be Twitter, can still be helpful but is harder to follow because hashtags are often outdated.
Q: How do you decide what online content can become a story?
A: I look for three things: if it is timely, visual, and easy to understand. For television especially, I need something that works on screen. I also try to simplify complex topics so the audience can understand without losing the important details.
Q: What challenges have you faced using social media as a journalist?
A: Early in my career I faced racist comments online, which still happens sometimes. Another challenge is that some people assume news outlets are politically biased even when we are not. That kind of reaction spreads quickly on social media. There is also the problem of misinformation, which makes it harder for audiences to know what is true.
Q: Has social media changed the way you tell stories?
A: It has. I often see stories on social media before they appear anywhere else. It has made journalists faster at finding information, but it has also made verifying facts more important than ever.
Q: What advice would you give journalism students about using social media professionally?
A: Keep your personal and professional accounts separate. Use your professional account to share your work and stay neutral. Treat social media as a learning tool. Watch how other journalists post and use visuals. You can learn a lot by studying what works for them.
Q: Do you think social media has helped or hurt journalism overall?
A: Both. It helps because it lets us reach people quickly and share credible stories. But it also spreads false information just as fast. Anyone can post anything, even AI-generated content, and people can mistake it for real journalism. That is why it is important for reporters to keep setting the standard for credibility.
Cruzat sees social media as both a challenge and an opportunity. It demands faster reporting and stronger verification, but it also helps journalists stay close to the people they serve. He says that balance defines modern journalism.
To see the latest articles from Leo Cruzat you can visit his “About” page on the CityNews Website, for his video journalism/live reporting tune in to the CityNews Edmonton broadcast.