Am I Tweet-worthy? Social Media and Journalism

Whenever I read an interesting article or seen an attention-grabbing newscast, I share it through my Twitter and my Facebook accounts. Recently, it dawned on me, "Will any of my news stories be tweet-worthy or worthy of sharing on Facebook?"

Nowadays, social media has become a powerful force. It is no surprise that journalism has connected with social media. In an earlier post, I said, "Journalists present an issue, but they do not tell others how to feel about the issue. Journalists serve as an intervening public by carrying a message to the public." So if journalism is the intervening channel that shares the message, then social media provides the means to let audience members express opinions.

Social media has also become an intervening public in some ways. Some of the articles I've read recently were posted by others. I found the byline interesting and clicked.

Social media and journalism are converging. Engaging in more social media has kept me connected, connected to tips and tricks of the trade, connected with other journalists, and connected stories that spark my interest.

Now, going back to my question from the beginning. "Will any of my news stories be tweet-worthy or worthy of sharing on Facebook?" Only time will tell. However, if 21 people "like" my story through their Facebook account, I know that at least 21 people read and enjoyed my story. So maybe social media can also assure me that someone found me tweet-worthy?

Women in Journalism

Newsweek recently published an article titled, "Year of the Woman? Eight Jobs That Are Still Sexist." Among these careers was journalism, specifically print journalism. Although since 1977 more women have graduated in the field of journalism than men, men's bylines outnumber those of women 7 to 1. Women are even interviewed less than men.

This has led me to think about some of the great women journalists throughout our history, such as Ida Tarbell, Nellie Bly, Marguerite Higgins, and Ethel L. Payne. These women made significant contributions to a field dominated by men through investigative journalism, war correspondence, and political reporting.

Ida Tarbell brought down the Standard Oil Company. Nellie Bly, a pioneer in investigative journalism, covered issues concerning the poor and the disenfranchised. Marguerite Higgins interviewed world leaders and created a place of esteem for female war correspondents. Lastly, Ethel L Payne, the "First Lady of the Black Press," reported on the civil rights movements and military efforts during the Vietnam conflict.

But, this still leaves one unanswered question. Where does a young female journalist stand in a world that still favors men today?

You May Be A Journalist If...

Every career has certain characteristics that those in the field must have or usually have. In this case, you may be a journalist if...

• you're curious
• you're sociable
• you're resourceful
• you hate secrecy, but you can keep secrets
• you like gossip, but you also check the sources to make sure that the information is true
• you don't mind hard work
• you don't mind controversy
• you don't mind working late nights

If these characteristics fit you, then you just might be a journalist.

Does Anyone Still Read Newspapers?

I remember in the instructor of my News Writing class, Mrs. Megan Toland, presenting the following quote to my class. Paul Saffo from the Institute for the Future stated, “Paper won’t disappear (in the future), but paperless media will soak up more of our time.  We will eventually become paperless the way we once became horseless.  Horses are still around, but they are ridden by hobbyists, not consumers.” This led to a discussion over the decline of newspapers and the rise of news online.

I thought that I would fight for paper-versions of newspapers. However, when my school newspaper voted between a physical paper and an online version, I preferred the online version.

A few nights ago, I stayed up late trying to read interesting articles that popped up in my news feed. The next morning, I thought about how many times I had used the Internet to access news stories as opposed to paper-version newspapers. So now my question is “Does anyone still read newspapers?” As society moves away from older forms of media, such as print media, towards those centered on the Internet, will newspaper be able to survive?

Are Journalists Still Gatekeepers?

In the past, the news was a one-way communication between the journalists and the audience. Recently there has been a push for journalists to engage in a dialogue with the audience. Audience members no longer just watch or read news stories. Now, audience members actively seek out information that is relevant to them. Most audience members feel they should be able to get news on their own terms, however, whenever, and wherever. Now, the audience can participate in the news. Audience members are encouraged to leave comments about news stories or to submit pictures related to the story.

Some people think that journalists should lose control and engage in this dialogue. Some do not want to give up control. What do you think? Should journalists engage in dialogue with the audience or should journalists retain control over the media?

Do Journalists Affect Public Opinion?

Journalists present an issue, but they do not tell others how to feel about the issue. Journalists serve as an intervening public by carrying a message to the public. There have probably been times where you have read a story about a company have developed an opinion of that company based on the information presented.

Do any of the following names sound familiar, Ida Tarbell, Bob Woodward, or Carl Bernstein? Even if these names do not sound familiar, you are probably familiar with their work. Ida Tarbell wrote The History of the Standard Oil. Not only did this exposé bring down the Standard Oil Company, it also helped bring about the U.S. antitrust actions against the company. Woodward and Bernstein were responsible for the exposing the Watergate Scandal.

As you can see by the work of these journalists, journalists can serve as a big influence on public opinion of a person and/or company. Tarbell, Woodward, and Bernstein presented issues. Readers decided how to feel about the issues.