"Journalism is About Listening"

"Journalism is About Listening"
Brittany Bell
bb173207@ohio.edu


Each day journalists face the task of knowing the "breaking" news fast, and better yet, first. To know this type of groundbreaking information, there are many tools used. Some journalists use face-to-face sources while others use investigative clues. But there are also those who sit at the comfort of their Smart phones or iMacs, quickly tapping into updated information via Twitter and Facebook while on-the-go. But does having a Facebook/Twitter while also upholding a career as a journalist cross the moral line of ethics? And when do these sites become too personal, if at all?


Tweet Your Heart Out

In the assigned reading called "The Limits of Control" by Pamela Podger, one journalist, Monica Guzman of seattlepi.com, shared her opinion on mixing social networking with her journalism career. "Journalism is about listening, so if you're not listening to people who are talking, then you're not doing your job."

Podger, I believe, is correct but only for situations similar to hers. She says that her tweets and Facebook updates help add information to her stories, and also help the readers better understand her viewpoints. But do the same guidelines follow for a news columnist who must restrain from revealing his/her viewpoints?



Ethics-Beware

According to an article from the University of Texas, social networking isn't the worst thing a journalist can do, but they must be weary of upholding journalism ethics code and also the consequences that reside if these ethics are not followed.

One example of the negative aspects of journalists on social media sites is when they reveal breaking news via Facebook/Twitter first, rather than on the website of their workplace. Cory Bergman, a blogger for LostRemote, agrees.

"My recommendation would be for reporters to quickly tip their newsrooms first and tweet second — without waiting for the story to appear on the site. First is first, regardless of where it’s posted. Then follow up with a tweet with a link when the story is posted."

A video posted by social media journalist, Jeff Cutler, also gives insight on how to keep Facebook and Twitter clean.



Facebook Devil on One Shoulder, Journalism Ethics Angel on the Other

So if you're caught up in the modernization of social networking but must remain unbiased, where do you turn? At poynter.org, there's a How-To article on "Social Networking for Journalists." The site not only helps privatize your statements on social networking sites, but also highlights the pro's of using these sites. In fact, one of the biggest advantages the article outlines is that social networking sites help find more sources which leads to new information. When it all boils down to it, poynter.org practically reiterates what Monica Guzman had said about Twitter and Facebook- that they help journalists to listen, which is their main job. So whether journalists are actually "listening" on Twitter and Facebook, or just merely reading tweets and updates from others, these journalists are somewhat ahead of the game.... as long as their tweets and updates don't become too personal or negatively impact their readers.