It seems that social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook are currently making a mark for themselves as an important research and verification tool for Journalists. Cost free and easy to access perhaps, but with the recent super injunction revelations they should be rather careful what they take for truth and common knowledge.
According to www.orielladigitaljournalism.com more than a third of journalists polled used Facebook as a source, with others highlighting blogs as areas of interest. However when validating stories, journalists questioned still favoured alternative sources, with 61% turning to PR agencies. There is no denying that online media is becoming more and more successful, Giles Fraser, co-head of Oriella PR Network says “This year’s study demonstrates the fast growing acceptance of social media in the newsrooms, both in the collation and telling of stories”.
This is reflected in the stories that we read daily in the press. One such celebrity that has kindly provided journalists with an easy story is Wayne Rooney. Rooney hit headlines recently after rashly using Twitter as a forum for a slanging match. He was involved in a very public argument with a follower on Twitter, and after being provoked went as far as writing “I’ll put u asleep within 10 seconds”. Wayne was soon to dismiss the tweet as a joke “Haha bit of banter” but hit the headlines with his apparent aggressive temper yet again – http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13449957.stm
Several stars have fallen foul and forgotten that Twitter isn’t the most private of places to have an argument or express opinions that should probably be kept to oneself. As an online forum used for personal expression, perhaps it is easy to forget that a tweet can be read by millions, and will be around the globe in seconds. For example 50 Cent decided to comment about the disasters in Japan through his Twitter account. Amongst a number of other tweets he wrote “It’s all good, ’til b*****s see their Christian Louboutins floating down da street”. 50 Cent apologised but not before news agencies had started circulating his comments. Once ranted, it can’t be taken back from the eagle eyed journo that is looking to snap up a story. The celeb has pretty much given away a juicy story all for free and probably should invest in further media or presentation training to deal with the fallout.
Meanwhile the Sunday times has launched a social version of its rich list. The new list will log consumers’ social activity on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Foursquare then rank them according to how much social activity they generate. Although celebrities are thought to top the list, Sunday Times readers are invited to register for the list as well. Online editor Gordon Thomson said that although the rich list “can only be accessed by the monied few, this can be enjoyed by everyone”. Those signed up will get their ranking on their social network page weekly. So get tweeting, but those in the spotlight may want to watch what they are saying as you don’t know who’s looking for a new headline… view the list here: www.the-social-list.com
Written by Admin- www.bluewoodtraining.co.uk – June 2011
