tt531411@ohio.edu
Permission on a Deadline
When some people have their tweets and posts mentioned in a news article, they see it as free exposure. Others may see it as creepy and disrespectful, especially if they were not asked. Imagine finding one of your quotes in the midst of a news article, unsuspecting that anyone had overheard your conversation in a coffee shop. Some may see Twitter and Facebook the same way, a private conversation, though others might scoff at such a naive view.
I can recall one instance at my internship this past summer where a child had been in an ATV accident. Deadline was quickly approaching and we wanted a photo to accompany the story. We could not get ahold of the family, but searched the minor’s name on Google, Facebook and Twitter. We found what we could confirm to be his account, but could we use the profile picture? Technically, it was there for everyone to see and for anyone to grab with a simple right-click. We ended up not using it; the story itself was newsworthy but the photo was nonessential. We wouldn’t have been able to justify the use to family members had they asked why their loved one was on the front page.
Personal and Professional Accounts
Even some journalists may forget that what they say and share can reach farther than intended. “These are public spaces and you’ve got to treat them that way,” said Rory Cellan-Jones, BBC’s technology correspondent. The things posted on even a personal account are very public. It only takes the right person with skill and persistence to access posts, photos and so much more.
Some news professionals might find it helpful to have two different accounts, but is it a necessity? It may be cumbersome to switch between accounts for work and play. To some, though, it prevents them from saying or doing something that could present itself as a conflict of interest. They say that dressing professionally for even a phone interview influences speech patterns, so perhaps a dedicated news account could impact what is shared on that feed.
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| This excerpt of an infographic shows how important proper behavior is on social media - schools.com |
Navigating a Digital World
Our behavior should not change just because we have new technologies with which to research, gather, develop, tell and distribute stories. The cultural penetration of radio and television was significant, and with it came more specific values. However, the core ethics did not change, and they will not this time, either.
Our ethics and practices stem from wanting to inform our audiences and “to connect with them through stories, shared experiences, and the important developments in our world,” according to Craig Silverman in a digital journalism ethics symposium wrap-up. Social media is a tool in this goal. Our use of it should build upon established principles.
Employer Involvement
Some take issue with the fact that most journalists’ tweets on the scene have little, if any editorial oversight. Facts may go unchecked, links may go unverified, and reporters may release information prematurely. Can oversight go too far though? What if you’re let go for tweeting too much? For retweeting the competition?
Deputy Social Media Editor at Reuters, Matthew Keys, wrote that his former employer did not approve of his social media use. Other journalists have been let go for their comments on social media. Where does the private use start and the professionalism take over? Should journalists always act as if their employers are watching?
This may also play into the personal versus professional account argument. If a journalist uses their personal account for professional use, editors may have some control over what gets said. What happens if there’s editorial spillover onto something meant to be personal? These are issues we’re still trying to find answers to.
In this era, one can never be too careful, especially as a journalist. Anything can and will be used against you in the court of public opinion.
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