Social Media and News

Chapter 2 – Social Media and News Journalists access vast amounts of information quickly, interact with viewers, compete with other journalists, and find story ideas through social media. While this can be completed in a matter of seconds, there is a challenge to do so in an ethical way. Reporters can protect themselves from sharing or posting incorrect information, by not retweeting or sharing content from someone else, especially if that person is not vetted. Original content sharing is safer on social media. Successful media professionals will build their follower, friend, and fan bases by interacting with viewers who take the time to get in contact with them. Replying to comments, tweets, and shared posts will help to build a following. When a journalist has numerous contacts, it is easier for them to search for subjects for interviews and find out what the community is talking about. In this way a reporter is able to identify potential story ideas that they will share in a news meeting. While journalists use various social media sites to communicate, most specifically utilize Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram during the work day. These applications make it easy for reporters to find interviewees, connect with fans by sharing basic personal details, and promote themselves and their station by giving attention to followers. While giving attention to others on social media is useful, media professionals recognize that they need to be safe online. If they experience physical threats or receive racially charged or hate language from another user, they should consider blocking the offensive account and talking with their supervisor. Overall, while journalists must perform many jobs at once, social media is becoming one of the most important ways to disseminate information. In order to get ahead of the curve, students should sign up for social media accounts as soon as possible and begin building a following. They should keep posts professional and avoid sharing opinions about politics, religion, and controversial subjects. Sharing private details about family and home is welcome when developing a social media presence but is better when the information is not too detailed. Social media use is fundamental to the modern newsroom.