Many of us use twitter. Some use it for private purposes. Others use it for advertising. A few of us use it for journalism. Social networks are now part of our lives.
Good journalists are active and wondering. Its articles can help many people. Quite often, they’re eloquent writers who are passionate about communicating. In other words, they like to be heard.
In the traditional world of journalism, you get a story, write it up, submit to your editor, and if it's good enough it's published. But now we've got Twitter. This is breaking news! Fast, public and uncensored. For example: Actor Jim Carrey and his funnywoman Jenny McCarthy announced on twitter that their relationship had come to an end after more than five years together.
"Jenny and I have just ended our 5yr relationship. I'm grateful 4 the many blessings we've shared and I wish her the very best! S'okay! ?;^>"
But journalists must waiting, while his story is edited, prepared for print etc. It must be frustrated (Or not? I'm not journalist). You can now write on Twitter and not have to wait for anything. This applies particularly for important and short messages. But sometimes 140 characters is not enough. We must have more space to get attention our readers. Tell them as much information for better view and obtain their own opinion on the matter. What do you think?
To Tweet or Not to Tweet?
I think Twitter is good supporting tool. If you select well whom to follow, interesting things could be read, and maybe some stories developed from it. Also, it could be useful for inquires, promoting one’s work etc. But 140 characters are definitely not enough, very often. I get frustrated with it on a regular basis
You have right. Do you know http://posterous.com ? This is good medium for journalists, which don’t like short twitter.
I try not to be on every social network existing:)
Perhaps it’s okay for short facts, but not for any interpretation, or anything insightful or deeper.
What should a journalist do and what she/he mustn’t do, this is a question for the ages, for sure.
I curate the Bighow Online Journalism Guide Page http://bighow.com/journalism ) on Bighow, the social news sharing website.
There, you will find links to all the useful tools, resources, guides that you would need to excel in the exciting field of Online Journalism. It also covers the latest trends in Online news.
Yeah, on one hand it is a good tool to enhance democracy and democratic freedom of speech, sharing ideas and stories that otherwise would not be published… However, there also may be negative aspectsa, as already highlighted…
I chose to tweet! :D