What's On Your Profile?

Mia White

mw964917@ohio.edu

 

When it comes to social media today, it is no secret that it seems to be taking over our world, more or less. Most of us have a personal profile and a professional profile. But why?

According to Lifewire, a technology information and advice website, there are many pros to having two social media accounts. One for work and one for personal use.

Lifewire says that by doing this, it can help maintain work boundaries and make you feel more comfortable about what your colleagues do and do not see. 

As journalists, we know that we have to keep up with all of the social media platforms and how they are constantly changing. As technology is always changing, should our posts change too? Our privacy? Or even our values? 

When it comes to the code of ethics of many media sources, it is no secret that they try their best to remain unbiased. But how is that plausible?

When looking at the Washington Post's policies and standards, they have a subcategory called "ethics". Their seventh code states, "The newspaper shall not be the ally of any special interest, but shall be fair and free and wholesome in its outlook in public affairs and public men".

Most media sources have a code of ethics where one of the codes states something along the lines of bringing truth and not opinions. 

The truth is, no matter how neutral we may write, no one is without an opinion. 

Source: thefire.org

So, that brings us to the question, should journalists have opinions (publicly)? And if we do write with bias, then to what extent?

The role of a journalist is to inform the public and provide them with insightful and useful information. Do our opinions as journalists fit that description?

If you ask me, the answer is no. Facts are facts and opinions are opinions.

With technology changing practically everyday, it is understood that anyone can post anytime and anywhere. Anyone can be their own journalist in a sense. But, are they ethical journalists?

Again, if you ask me, the answer is usually no.

We see many times that people are publishing things quickly rather than accurately. We also see big headlines with no evidence to back it up once you actually click on the articles. 

We also see many people posting their biased opinions and calling it news. That is the issue.

I feel like it is possible to come out with your opinion and not shove it down your reader's throat and that is how it should be. While I think we should stick to presenting facts, an opinion wouldn't hurt here or there, as long as it is not changing the facts to persuade the audience's views. 

I think there should be a good balance. News should be 100% facts. But, depending on the story, it wouldn't hurt to have some passion and voice.

So, I understand why people would have two profiles on social media. While it may be a pain to keep up with two, it might be beneficial to keep some things to yourself and a professional face to the public.