JOURNALISM AS CONVERSATION: ENCOURAGING THE AUDIENCE
It is exceedingly clear that Journalism today is drastically different than it was 50 years ago. It is more than just getting a newspaper on your door step from the paper boy every morning. It is up close, personal, breaking, and everyone is in the now.
Thanks to the internet we can get information instantly and find updates quicker than ever before.
The challenge Journalists are faced with everyday is understanding their audience. Once a reporter has built a mutual respect from an audience he/she needs to make sure the readers are being heard and their needs are met.
In PRODUCING ONLINE NEWS Chapter 11 discusses building a relationship with a Journalists audience. The book encourages bloggers to read and respond to comments left by visitors. What I found most interesting in the chapter was how to respond to vulgar comments left by users and how to build a respectful site and fewer disrespectful comments. Specific guidelines should be listed somewhere in the blog for people to easily access. Also, to politely remove comments that are not within your blog guidelines and post a note saying you removed it.
Keep your private life separate from work life.
Family and friends vs. Work and Followers
If a Journalist wants a private Facebook or Twitter account for friends and family that is always encouraged. On a personal level, I think it is best to still act professional and keep your opinions to yourself or at least offline even still with friends and family.
It is not like Las Vegas. What happens on the internet, stays on the internet.
The book uses a great example. In 2009 ABC News Political Reporter Terry Moran tweeted a negative comment about President Obama about Kanye West's outburst at the VMA's directed towards Taylor Swifts win.
I could not say this any better than what the book says so I will quote it.
"Moran did two things he probably would not have done on any of his television reports: he had disclosed an off-the-record comment by Obama and he injected his personal opinion about the behavior of the president. Moran removed the posting later the same day, and ABC News issued an apology to the White House for "prematurely" tweeting Obama's comments." -Producing Online News Digital Skills, and better Stories.
It is refreshing to know that even a reporter of that status still makes big mistakes that could have possibly cost him his reputation.
We all need to remember going into Journalism that our opinions may matter but how we act and handle ourselves is so much more important. Grace and dignity is a lesson we all try to live by in our lives and especially as a reporter it is something we practice everyday. We are human too!
BROWN BAG MEETING JANUARY 31ST @ 11AM
I have mentioned this before in my earlier posts that this is only my second semester at Cerritos College. Well, this is only my first full year in Long Beach. I am originally from San Diego North County. So, meeting new people is intimidating for me because I tend to be quite the introvert. After my first class with Mr.Cameron I got very excited to know just how great the Journalism program is here at Cerritos College. Can't wait to meet fellow Journalists.
I will pack my lunch and and be there tomorrow!
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