The importance of neutrality when it comes to journalism and social media

Kaysee Faecher 

kf378616@ohio.edu

As a young adult in the twentieth century, social media consumes my life. When people ask how I start my day I usually tell them by checking social media. Social media has also become an outlet for people to consume the daily news. Social media is a way for journalists to interact with their audience on a different level.  

With the addition of social media, the ethical principles of journalists are questioned. The article written by Dan Kennedy poses the question, is it okay for journalists to express their opinion via social media? Recently, the editors The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, have stated that they want their writers to remain neutral on social media. Kennedy states, "If someone tells you that they have no opinions, even on serious issues, that they are totally objective and that they also never make a mistake, you would probably think they are either a liar or a psychopath." I can't help but agree with what Kennedy is saying. Everyone has their opinions on certain topics, especially journalists. Interacting with your audience is an easy way for journalists to gain a stronger relationship with their readers and also gain some new followers. Although I agree with the statement, I do feel that it is important for journalists to remain neutral when writing an article. Journalist's jobs are to tell the audience facts and the truth, not to express his or her opinion. 

Ryan Guerro writes an article about the ethical issues of social media within the journalism industry.

He proves the point that social media allows journalists to have an independent voice but need to remain professional. "As journalists, we are in the position to have an influence on others, a role that must be treated carefully and professionally. One must find the perfect balance between commentary and opinion on social media." He talks throughout his article about how their needs to be guidelines for journalists when it comes to their interaction on social media. He highlights the new guidelines The New York Times announced about journalists use of social media. They include things like their journalist must not "express partisan opinions, promote political opinions, endorse candidates, make offensive comments, or do anything else that undercuts the Time's journalistic reputation." I think having guidelines like these can help keep a journalist remain neutral when it comes to interacting with their audience on social media. 

Cartoon showing how social media continues to be a strong presence in the world with a major impact on important stories. Source: The Times-Tribune, John Cole via Medium.com https://medium.com/@ryan.guerrero/the-ethical-issues-of-social-media-in-journalism-430c85ca8fd1

Social media has become a tool that journalists need to use on a daily basis. Being able to utilize this tool in the right way is extremely important. Interacting with your audience while remaining neutral is important for you to remain a successful and credible journalist. At the end of the day social media helps us become better journalists, we just have to use it the right way. Guerro states, "In the end, journalists must be able to respect people and their content. We must remember that sources and subjects are not only material but are also human beings. Our words have a great impact on not only ourselves but our colleagues and the public." Journalists have the opportunity to tell important stories in the world, but we must remain to be without bias to do so when it comes to our voices via social media.