Mind your business, when it's others business.

Nadia Sheng

ns294007@ohio.edu

Though caution should be taken when using and engaging in activities on social networking sites like Facebook, an ethics group leader at the Poynter Institute says it shouldn't mean "you don't act as an individual." This rings true for many business people weary of their image and reputation at work, particularly Journalists.

It is for the same/similar reasons, people often abstain from another 'progressive' aspect of Social media-"discussions". Why is the act of joining discussions progressive? In the words of a former San Francisco Chronical writer "Social media is about building community and not isolating groups from each other". News program's Facebook pages such as that of the BBC's World Have Your Say use the comment function of the networking site to the max. For a talk show that's international in scope, it's necessary to have comments and other contributions reflect the demographic of listeners. Furthermore, contributors are and should be compelled to share their ideas as they take-in those of others.

As pointed out in the American Journalism Review article, one way to have the best of both worlds is to separate your professional from your personal/private identity. With regards to Facebook and perhaps even Twitter, this would mean maintaining two accounts- one for your close friends and family and the other for co-workers, bosses and the like. And while some, including assistant managing editor for the Washington Post, allude to the fact that separating pages and identities in essence 'retracts' steps towards transparency, practicing caution in terms of photo content (should you not want the world to be able to see a family photo) is valid and should be something you are able to still share on the popular, easy to use and timely, site with those closest to you who are also connected. In addition, being at liberty to post "personal opinions...could open us up to criticism that we [Dow Jones] have biases", which isn't how trusted news publications should want readers to perceive their entire publication to be.