blogs and twitter technology for journalists. what we’ll go over today a. what is expected out of...

Blogs and Twitter

Technology for Journalists

What we’ll go over today

A. What is expected out of blogs/twitter

B. Blogs vs. traditional print reporting

BlogsContentFrequencyConnectivity

Blogs: ContentHow does content on a news blog differ from that in a newspaper?

- Length: Generally speaking, newspaper stories are longer than blog entries, which often are just a few hundred words.

- Subject matter: Limited. Clear focus or niche. Often targets a particular audience.

- Medium: Available online, often not replicated in print. May drive readers to other parts of news organization or other content.

- Chronology: Posts appear in reverse chronological order.

- Timely…

Blogs: Frequency

Frequency arguably matters just as much as depth of content.

News blog content is updated frequently, perhaps before the “full” picture has been gathered.

Posts may not rise to a level of importance that merits space in print publication.

Just interesting: Today’s news blogs grew out of authors’ online journals.

Speed v. Accuracy

Blogs: ConnectivityContent

- Blog posts often link to other news reporting or online content

- Links enables readers to explore a topic in greater detail

- Adds credibility… and lets your work be found on the web

Community

- Encourages public discourse (comments, links, etc.)

- Blog posts may respond, challenge, add to, etc., others’ arguments or reports

Blogs

CNN's Science Blog : http://lightyears.blogs.cnn.com

WBEZ Jim DeRogatis music blog: http://www.wbez.org/blogs/jim-derogatis

Sports : http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/

NYT's Nate Silver: http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/

TwitterWhat are the differences/similarities between news blogs

and Twitter?

Big difference:

Twitter is “microblogging.” Allows for 140 characters—meaning it offers even smaller bites of content.

Similarities:– Reverse chronological order.– Drives readers elsewhere.– Encourages discourse, via responses,

retweets, etc.

Twitter#--what does it do for journalists?

- Helps users group information, find information on particular subject- Contributes to discourse- Searchable- Enables broader audience to find your content- Used to identify Trending Topics

Twitter@--what good is it to journalists?

- User name or handle- Linked/Searchable- Allows users to direct messages to an individual, but in public setting- twitter.com/usernamehere = @usernamehere

Twitter- “Following” means the user’s content appears in your news feed.- One-way- Direct messages are private, but can only be sent to those who follow you.

Twitter

Speed v. AccuracyCNN Breaking News @cnnbrk✔

Investigators believe they've ID'd suspect in Boston bombings, source tells @JohnKingCNN http://on.cnn.com/17FSY7w 12:04 PM - 17 Apr 2013 Official: Two men sought as possible suspects in Boston bombingInvestigators ask for authorities in tracking down 2 men who they consider "possible suspects," a law enforcement official said.

CNN @CNN

WordpressStarted in 2003Most popular blogging system onlineAbout 20 percent of all new websites use WordpressAllows for high level of customizationand it’s free!

WordpressGetting started

- Picking a theme- Title!- Author/About you section- First post

TwitterGetting started

FirstnameLastnameLUC@twitter.com

- Setting up account, bio, Wordpress link (reflexive)- Start following … and be followed