With the Mentions app users have access to data on what other Facebook users are saying about them. After Mentions launched in 2014, news outlets dutifully chronicled the list of actors, musicians and professional athletes that flocked to the app, then dubbed a “VIP only” service. “We’ve also seen people using it as a tool for Q&As with their readers, so they want to have a conversation around a story that they’re covering and answer reader questions – or as a form of transparency, telling the story behind the story”, he said. But Facebook is at least allowing people to apply to be verified.

Facebook Mentions and Live are now available for verified profiles.

Now, journalists and public figure whose profiles have been verified by Facebook – as indicated by a little blue check mark – will have access to Mentions.

Facebook calls it an authentic way to connect with fans.

Facebook started providing the service amid competitors in stay streaming from Twitter’s Periscope and the unbiased Meerkat app, each of which launched this yr. With this update, Facebook is aiming to improve the user experience for people and public figures alike.

The live stream feature isn’t offered through the regular Facebook app, instead it works through Facebook Mentions, an app provided to aforementioned public personalities.

“People love reading articles from and connecting with their favourite journalists and public figures on Facebook”, as announced in a blog post by the social network.

Facebook was keen to play down the advertising potential of both Mentions and Live and preferred to emphasis its role in adding to the social network’s portal of content. However, Lavrusik did say he could “imagine that there could potentially be interesting use cases where other types of groups would want to be able to use it”.

Journalists can use the app to broadcast live breaking news and replays of the broadcast can be viewed once the live stream has finished.

Opening Mentions to journalists is the latest overture from Facebook to the world of media, and it signals that the social media giant is looking to strengthen its position as a destination for news.