Does Social Media Follow the Ground Rules? Panelists Say It's Up to Journalists

Social media can be a force for good if reporters basing stories on tweets, Facebook or YouTube follow traditional journalism standards, a panel of seasoned journalists and communications specialists said Oct. 20.

C-SPAN Communications Director Howard Mortman said the company uses tweets constantly in concert with its mission “to provide all voices access to policy and to give people a chance to talk back.” Mortman said some of the guests on its flagship program, “The Washington Journal,” make their most provocative or interesting comments based on questions sent from people using Twitter.

“Social media is democratizing media,” said W. Joseph Campbell, author of "Getting it Wrong." For all its plusses, social media also has its minuses -- and journalists must proceed with caution, according to Patrick Gavin, a reporter and prolific tweeter for “Politico.” He warned journalists who depend on tweets for stories to be “very, very careful" about getting false information. Gavin said he worries about using tweets fro reporter Linda Feldmann said they believe readers are savvy enough to recognize journalists or news outlets that get stories consistently wrong. “I won’t file a story until I’m satisfied I have covered all the bases,” Feldmann said.

Campbell pointed to coverage of Hurricane Katrina as an example of spot news in which the media got it wrong. He said print and broadcast journalists portrayed New Orleans in “near apocalyptic scenes of violence and mayhem,” tarnishing the reputation of the city and delaying emergency assistance to its residents. As the new media continues to morph itself into new forms, such as Foursquare (a location-based social network tool), Feldmann said she believes “journalism is the rough draft of history and that blogs and tweets are the rough draft of the rough draft.”

The panel discussion on social media and journalism standards sponsored by the Eric Friedhaim National Library Professional Development Committee.

-- Paula Cruickshank, [email protected]