Kayla Brantley, a reporter-at-large for MailOnline, the Daily Mail’s digital platform, visited Hunter College last fall to speak with students in Professor Brandon Gates’ Media 211 course, News Literacy in a Digital Age. Brantley shared insights from her career journey and offered advice on navigating today’s fast-paced media landscape.
Brantley began her journalism career as a fellow in the New York City office of the UK-based tabloid, where she quickly rose through the ranks. Reflecting on her experience, she described the excitement of working in a constantly evolving field. “I like that every day I get to tackle something new and different. No two days are the same,” she said.
A New Jersey native and graduate of Rutgers University’s School of Communication and Information, Brantley played a pivotal role in launching the Daily Mail’s TikTok channel, which has grown to become the most-followed news outlet on the platform.
She attributed the channel’s success to staying on top of trends and producing timely, accurate content. “We tend to pay attention to what is trending and work quickly to get something up that’s accurate,” she explained.
Brantley shared highlights from her career, which included covering breaking news, pop culture, and politics, and making guest appearances on Extra, NewsNation, and Fox News. She also reflected on her unexpected promotion to editor, a role that has expanded her perspective on the industry.
“Did I think I would ever be an editor? No,” she admitted. “But it’s been so fun, and I’m learning so much about the business through a different lens. I believe I can effectively manage people.”
One of the key topics Brantley addressed was the challenge of combating misinformation, a core focus of the Media 211 course. She described the methods she uses to identify and prevent the spread of ‘fake news’ while maintaining journalistic integrity.
Students were eager to engage with Brantley, asking questions about how the Daily Mail decides what is newsworthy and how she balances the demands of breaking news with her personal life. Brantley’s visit left students with a deeper understanding of the realities of modern journalism and the skills required to succeed in the field.
