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