The Washington Post has recently caused some debate among media professionals. Last Friday, the “Post” implemented new social media guidelines for its reporters. Some of the restrictions include the use of Twitter and Facebook. The Post feels it is a reporter’s job is to produce objective, unbiased news stories to the public. Due to the opinionated nature of social media it could affect reporter impartiality.
The Post wrote:
"Post journalists must refrain from writing, tweeting or posting anything—including photographs or video—that could be perceived as reflecting political, racial, sexist, religious or other bias or favoritism that could be used to tarnish our journalistic credibility. This same caution should be used when joining, following or friending any person or organization online."
Now every staff member ‘s social media account must identify him or her as a Post employee and they must represent the newsroom at all times.
Where do you draw the line between a person’s professional and personal expressions? Is Twitter considered a journalist’s professional communication tool?
Several reporters have come out publicly, including Post media reporter Howard Kurtz who said "Under new WP guidelines on tweeting, I will now hold forth only on the weather and dessert recipes," on his Twitter account last weekend.
Senior editor Jennifer Saba stated, "I think reporters have opinions, but it doesn't mean they can't report something professionally. "Somebody could say, 'Oh I really enjoy Mad Men,' and if they cover TV, does that mean they are biased?"
Many other media professionals are grateful for the new regulations. They feel it will help balance the line between their professional and personal lives.
I think that as long as journalists perform their job by providing objective, good quality news stories there is no reason they can’t express their own opinions elsewhere. We as a society should understand that they aren’t unbiased beings without a view of their own.
Should reporters be able to communicate their personal opinions and does it affect their journalistic credibility?
Twitter has now become a huge communication tool for PR pros to build a relationship with reporters, could the new restrictions affect the PR practitioner as well?
http://www.prweekus.com/Washington-Post-social-media-guidelines-target-bias/article/151072/
3 comments:
WOW. I cannot believe that this is something that has taken place. While I do agree with the point that it does give clarification about EXACTLY how to handle themselves, keeping in mind that other journalists may not know where the line is, I still feel that this is taking a person's freedom of expression away.
It is like the employees are not being allowed to assume the role of normal, everyday citizens, and instead are pretty much on the job at all times of the day. I do think that professionalism is important, but also believe that a person can have their own personal opinions and still report objectively. I think I'd be forced to resign because this is a serious issue with me. If I had the capability of doing so of course.
This is really interesting and yet another way social media affects the workplace. On one side, I do agree with it because these journalists have many followers that hold them accountable for distributing the news. Hearing personal opinions has a strong chance of them losing credibility and readership.
But on the other side, as we talked about in the campaigns class the other week, it allows readers to feel more connected to reporters and thus could enhance readership and networking possibilities.
But if you want to draw a line between the two sides, it begins with professionalism. If it is their job to stay objective, then they should. After all, Twitter can count as online journalism.
I don't agree with this. As long as employees are staying professional, their personal opinions should stay their personal OPINIONS. I feel that as long as they are doing their job and delivering me the news, they can tweet or blog what they want.
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