SHOOT: The internet doesn't like to be restricted. But complete freedom (saying whatever the hell you want) isn't the answer either. Staffers will have to demonstrate that they can view their opinions in a colorful but balanced way, and editors will be called to trust that this is the case. Who decides what is a balanced view? In the end, by the audience response. And if you've screwed up, you'll only know that when it's too late.
"Assume that your professional life and your personal life merge online regardless of your care in separating them. Don't write or post anything that would embarrass the LAT or compromise your ability to do your job," one of the rules states. Adds another, "Assume that everything you write or receive on a social media site is public and knowable to everyone with access to a computer."
Even with that strict approach, the Los Angeles Times is among the most active newspapers on Twitter, with some 144 accounts, half of them by individual reporters and other news staffers. "We understand people need to be more casual to fit in to that culture," says Andrew Nystrom, the Times' senior producer for social media. "We encourage them to say what is on their minds and that gets a better response."
"We have not made specific rules for Twitter and Facebook, we trust you to be responsible about it. You always work for the newspaper, that is how people see you." |
No comments:
Post a Comment