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Facebook now lets journalists broadcast live video to your News Feed

Facebook now lets journalists broadcast live video to your News Feed

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Celebrities like Dwayne Johnson aren't the only people allowed to use Facebook's live streaming app anymore. The company is opening up the future, which works through a standalone app called Mentions, to journalists with verified Facebook profiles and / or pages. Previously, only high-profile public figures like actors, athletes, musicians, politicians, and other "influencers" were permitted to stream live video to users through the Mentions app. Replays are available once the initial live stream is compete, and Facebook also allows comments and likes alongside broadcasts like YouTube and Periscope.

"We want to make Facebook a better experience for journalists whether it’s used for news-gathering or better connecting with their readers or to drive distribution to their content," Vadim Lavrusik, product manager for Mentions, told Wired. With the 2016 presidential campaign season underway, it's certainly a good time for Facebook to expand its criteria for who's allowed to broadcast live clips; they'll at least (probably) be more engaging than your random bit of self promotion from Michael Bublé, Serena Williams, or The Rock. If you think you're important enough to be streaming, you can apply for the privilege (and profile or page verification) right here.