To post, or not to post?
Questions for social media journalists
“A media revolution is transforming, fundamentally and irrevocably, the nature of journalism”— Stephen Ward
The rise of social media has profoundly changed the way we get our news. Almost three-in-ten Americans regularly rely on social media for news. Across the border, more than two fifths (42%) of Canadians check social media daily for news. Even in emerging, developing nations, like Lebanon and Argentina, more than half the population uses platforms like Facebook to stay up to date.
But social media isn’t only changing the way news is shared, it’s also transforming the way it’s produced — as well as who’s producing it. As social media consultant Rich Brooks puts it, “anyone on Facebook, Twitter or a thousand other platforms can be a news editor”.
To stay relevant in this competitive online landscape, journalists need a different approach to their work — one that balances social savviness with journalistic rigour. But while this new model of journalism offers exciting opportunities, it also raises pressing questions.
In this post, I’ll take a look at a few of these questions, and how they affect your work as a journalist:
1. Is it newsworthy?
Many traditional news values — like timeliness and currency — still apply in the digital sphere. But others, like proximity, may be less relevant. Of course, some local news stories (even those as mundane as naming a new ferry boat) can thrive on social media. But the global reach of these platforms offers opportunities to expand news coverage beyond your immediate community.
Some journalism scholars, like Meredith Clark, argue that today’s media landscape warrants a new set of news values, like inclusion, authenticity, and listening. “[T]here are unspoken, and perhaps unquestioned values that should be discussed,” she writes. “Any outlet that seeks to evolve and remain viable should examine its values.”
“Any outlet that seeks to evolve and remain viable should examine its values.” — Meredith Clark
2. Is it true?
You may be familiar with the age-old proverb: “Never let the truth get in the way of a good story.”
But this idea that “good” stories are more engaging than they are trustworthy takes new meaning on social media, where “fake news” spreads faster and farther than the truth. With this rise of online misinformation, audiences are losing trust — not just in social media, but in traditional news media. Restoring that trust makes thorough fact-checking a must for digital journalists.
Of course, verifying online information can be tough. Quotes are often shared out of context. Video and audio recordings can be tampered with. Data is sometimes presented inaccurately or incompletely.
But as a journalist, it’s your responsibility to verify claims before you publish them — especially if you’re relying on social media as a source. Evaluate news tips critically, paying attention to the reliability of the source and of the evidence. Use a fact checker, like Snopes or Politifact, if you’re unsure. Acronyms like “S.H.E.E.P.” can help too:
3. Is it ethical?
Finally, social media has not only changed the nature of journalism, it’s also transforming its ethics. Online, ethical considerations about issues like anonymity, corrections, and impartiality abound. Among the most pressing is question of user-generated content (UGC).
User-generated images, videos, opinions, and other material can become rich resources for journalists. (Even established publications like the Guardian have embraced them). But publishing UGC can also create ethical dilemmas— especially if the contributor is based in a dangerous place, like a war zone.
Before using UGC in your story, ask yourself a few key questions:
- Do you have the right to use this content?
- What biases might exist within it?
- What misinformation might be involved?
- Can the content be posted anonymously?
- Will crediting the creator put them in danger?
The answers will depend on the nature of the story, as well as the news outlet you’re working for. But at the end of the day, it’s up to you to decide: Do the benefits of publishing this content outweigh the risks? Is this story worth it?
“The time is right for a different approach to social media”— Francesco Zaffarano
“The time is right for a different approach to social media,” writes Francesco Zaffarano. But what that approach will look depends on the questions you ask as a journalist, and the answers you explore. So stay curious and critical. The future of our news depends on it.
