Time for media to talk back
Posted by Lisa DiVirgilio, Online Content Producer
on October 6th, 2009 at 10:37:10 am , 2146 views
Working in an era of news where print text no longer cuts it and people can't make an appointment to always watch the broadcast at a certain time of day, we as journalists depend heavily on new "breaking news" alerts sent through venues such as Facebook and Twitter.
Many scoff at the idea of these platforms being considered legitimate news sources. However, for every person that discredits it, one more joins our Facebook fan page or one of our Twitter feeds at WTNH everyday.
We push our content through these platforms. For example, we used Twitter to "live report" on the first Yale news briefing, the Friday before Annie Le's body was found.
Instead of taking the time to write and send out a story (which we did after), we sent out quotes and facts almost as quickly as we got them. Our consumers were able to get information in real-time, instead of waiting for the press conference to be over and a story to be written.
We received numerous "re-tweets" for this, or users feeding out our content to those who follow them, making it an even bigger, wider success.
All in all, social media acts as a virus. It's quick to send out and even quicker to spread.
But, some things I've noticed that the media industry as a whole does not understand about social media is that it is a conversation, not just another content pusher.
I've noticed that too much of our Connecticut news competition uses social media as a way to only push out tons of stories at once, flooding its followers. Yet when the followers ask a question or make a comment on the content, no one is there to respond.
When media does this, we push away our consumers because we make it seem like we are purely a business turning out stories. It's about as intimate as those "donotreply" e-mails that you get in your inbox daily. This is not what social media was intended for, and we owe more to our users who choose to participate in it.
I'm a firm believer that news is no longer a lecture, but now a two-way, real-time conversation - and I think the 5,000+ users engaging with WTNH daily through one of our social media platforms agree.
When questions are asked by our viewers and/or readers, we need to answer them. And what better way to do it than through social media?
In the coming weeks, I'll be posting video tutorials on Twitter and Facebook. Feel free to use them to get started!
And if you already are an avid social media user, join us on Twitter or Facebook to constantly be in the know.
Lastly, if you are among the few that do not believe in social media, no worries - just because we're using them doesn't mean we'll slack on our traditional coverage, it just means we're broadening our reach.
19 comments
News is a two way conversation? No, news is the presentation of facts and details, be it in printed or broadcast form.
I can't go on. It's just not worth it.
Just a personal question, and please don't take this worng: You are a 20 something - right?
Thanks for having my back on this one! see my response to Tom. All I can say is we should never stop listening to different points of view, and never stop questioning something that does not seem correct!
Have a great day!
Many comments from viewers have valuable information...some are people directly affected by something that has been reported on. If you saw a report, and felt it was inaccurate, wouldn't you want to be able to voice your opinion???
First off, the "20 something" comment was not directed at you. My entire comment was directed to the writer of the bolg. Truth be told, I couldn't care less what another commenter thinks. I'm not here to pick a fight with the loyal TV8 viewers.
I stand by my post. As to you comment about opinions, opinions are not news.
As I said FACTS and DETAILS are news.
I put no more faith in a "tweet" than I would overhearing a conversation on the street.
You have a great day too.
All in all - great post. Who cares if she's 20 or 50, she makes some excellent points. I work for the media and the fact that she wants to use new ways to distribute content is key for news sources to stay afloat. They need to follow the longest lasting consumer.
Why do you think newspapers are dying? Because they're subscribers are and also because people don't need to wait for info anymore. Instant satisfaction.
You said "Tom - I believe..."
I would invite you to read the third sentance of my second post.
News means different things to different people, and there is really is no one definition that covers all the aspects of what makes something newsworthy.
Let me make it clear, that Lisa's points are shared by all of us who work at gathering and presenting the news here at News Channel 8. Of course we are interested in the facts of any given story, with as much detail as possible. But the conversation we seek to engage in is to try to understand what interests you, our audience.
Even inside our newsroom, reasonable people often disagree about the most important stories of each day. We spend no small amount of time trying to hear many different voices, because one of the first things you learn working in a newsroom is that if you don't listen to many people--you'll often miss some of the most interesting stories of the day.
In that effort, we are committed to use every available tool we can to tell people what we know, as soon as we know it. At the same time, we want to be sure that we're connecting to as many people as we can, both to understand what stories matter to you and what we can do to cover them better.
And in case you're wondering, that would be the opinion of a 52 year old--who was one of the first here to start using Twitter and Facebook.
Again, thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with us.
-Kirk Varner
News Director
WTNH/WCTX Television
So what is news worthy?
Traffic,school closeings weather.
The rest seems like gossip.
Then of corse there is Mark Davis with constructive critisisim.
I would like to hear about the "end" of the war in Iraq ,daily bloody battles are inevitable so thats nothing new.
With too much you get numb.
Too much talk you miss the point.
When the news is over the day is gone and the next days issues/events are dawnig.
Like I said nothing new under the sun.
~Peace Glenna~
I could not agree more. My son Matt died May 23, 2009. Opinions were flying at that time not only about my son who was a wonderful, kind hearted human being, but about his up bringing and what I should or should not have done as his mother. A strangers opinion does not matter to me. But it hurts to be judged by angry people who don't know my family - especailly my beautiful boy.
I'm sick ond tired of seeing or hearing what you decide to publish. Report the news, all of the news, and I'll decide whats important to me. As it is now the current news orginazations can all go out of business because I'm so fed up with your opnions I rarely waste my time tuning in!!!
Comment feed for this postThe short version -- be nice and be respectful of other's opinions, even if they don't agree with yours, or your comment may be deleted.
Leave a comment
| « A Familiar Face | Naming Names » |