Several ONA13 panels tackled the issue of how journalists should handle breaking news. Check out the videos below to see how all forms of social media affect breaking news in both positive and negative ways. Journalism might be changing, but when news breaks we all have to be able to keep up. (Meet our experts at the bottom of the page)
Breaking news! Now what?
Every newsroom should have an internal checklist when it comes to breaking news. In order to collaborate accurate stories for the public, everyone must be on the same page. It’s a good idea to stage drills or mock-news-scenarios for your newsroom before an actual crisis. Here are some tips, and things to consider when that moment comes.
The Gatekeeper
It’s time to bring the gatekeeper back to reporting. As social media takes over it is very easy to get lost in rumor and speculation. Journalists need to remember their role in the media and how to filter through the junk to find truth.
Who do you believe, concerned citizens or trained journalists?
Anyone can tell a story, but not everyone can be a journalist. With social media today tweets, posts, and pictures are at most times sharing the news but also spreading rumors. Decide where you get your news wisely.
Get it right and produce it fast!
The pressure is always on during a breaking news story, but that doesn’t mean the basics of accuracy go flying out the window. There has to be a balance between speed and remaining a credible source to the public.
Then and now, is it really different?
Journalism has been around for quite some time now and the forms of reporting have evolved immensely. A lot has changed in today’s newsroom, but is reporting really different than it was a decade ago?
Social media is here to stay
This emerging style of instant reporting may be different, but extremely valuable if done correctly. Although the immediacy of live-tweeting is challenging for journalists to be both fast and factual, twitter allows journalists to share news with the public in a matter of seconds. It not only is informative in moments of crisis but can even keep people safe from harm.
Meet our experts:
Annie Hammock
@Anniehammock
Interactive Director, KOMU.com
Teresa Hanafin
@BostonTeresa
Director of engagement and social media for boston.com and bostonglobe.com
ONA panel: Breaking News: Real-Time Takeaways From the Boston Marathon Bombing Coverage
#ONAbreaking
Rick Hancock
@rickhancock
Atlantic Journal-Constitution Editor, myajc.com
ONA panel: Covering the Unthinkable: School and Public Space Violence
#reportingunthinkable
Damon Kiesow
@DKiesow
Senior Product Manager, boston.com and bostonglobe.com
ONA panel: 20 tips to Turbocharge Your Mobile Efforts (Before It’s Too Late)
#20mobile
Reggie Murphy
@Reggiemurphy
Principal consultant of Electronic Ink
ONA panel: Breaking News: Real-Time Takeaways From the Boston Marathon Bombing Coverage
#ONAbreaking
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