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Jill Hopke @jillhopke
January 26, 2015
Sourcing and Verifying Social Content
A major weather event is happening in NYC. A friend who lives there sends you a photo text. Would you? • Share on Facebook • Share on Instagram • Text back for more info • Run through Google
Image Search • Turn on cable news • Look for similar images
on TwiIer • Something else?
What would you do?
Source Credibility
CiJzen Journalism/
User-‐Generated Content
Concepts for Today
VerificaJon
Social Media are Changing News
News via Social Media
News is becoming social
Source: Pew Research Journalism Project. (2013). The Facebook News Experience.
Who is a “journalist”?
“Miracle on the Hudson” January 15, 2009
JournalisTc Norms on Social Media
• ObligaTon to truth • Loyalty to the public • VerificaTon • Independence • Forum for public discourse • InteresTng and relevant • Comprehensive • Exercise of personal
conscience Adapted from: Kovach, B. & RosensTel, T. (2007). The elements of journalism: What newspeople should know and what the public should expect. New York: Three Rivers Press.
Researching on TwiIer
Research Tools – Trendsmap
Research Tools – Topsy
Treat social media content as Jps; place to start researching a story #ICantBreathe, December 2014
Research Tools – Twiber Advanced Search
Treat social media content as Jps; place to start researching a story
Some Challenges to Social Media Sourcing
Assessing Source Credibility
ü Does user have a clear bio, photo, followers?
ü Assess content of past posts ü Are they on-‐the-‐scene? Will they speak with you by phone, Skype?
ü Never run a story based on one source; consult different types of sources (official, etc.)
Importance of Intended Audience
From One-‐to-‐One CommunicaJon to Internet Meme #AlexFromTarget
Importance of Intended Audience
Public, Advocacy CommunicaJon – Consider Online Community Norms (e.g. TwiIer vs. Facebook)
Social Media Can Differ from Public Opinion
TwiIer vs. Public Opinion on Gun Control Pew Research Center, December 2012
Best PracTces for Sourcing with Social Media
ü Get permission and give credit ü Verify through mulTple sources ü Consider online community norms (public vs. private)
ü If in doubt, don’t include ü Communicate directly with sources ü Link to original content ü Trust is key ü Be transparent
More on CommunicaTng with Sources
ü Have a professional account (e.g. Twiber, website) ü Give your affiliaTon and a clear request (e.g.
interview, repost); say how their info will be used
ü Share contact info privately (i.e. direct message)
ü State your Tmeframe/deadline
ü Report back/share finished product ü Follow-‐up; if a sources says no, OK to check back as
circumstances change but respect privacy
Verifying InformaJon in a (Social) Digital Age
The Capacity to Spread False Info Fast
“How A Fake Storm Photo Goes Viral” BuzzFeed
October 29, 2012
One step ahead of Photoshopping
Highway 12 Nebraska Supercell Mike Hollingshead
May 28, 2004
• Remember the “Who, what, when, where, why and how”
• Is the content original? • Check source locaTon, date and Tmestamp
• Be skepTcal; use third-‐person
• Think first -‐ If in doubt, don’t post/retweet • Check mulTple sources/types of sources
• Photos: Landmarks? Weather condiTons? Get permission, idenTfy people, provide context, include Tme/place
reference; @menTon source
VerificaTon is Key
Applying What We’ve Learned
• ObligaTon to truth • Loyalty to the public • VerificaTon • Independence • Forum for public discourse • InteresTng and relevant • Comprehensive • Exercise of personal
conscience Adapted from: Kovach, B. & RosensTel, T. (2007). The elements of journalism: What newspeople should know and what the public should expect. New York: Three Rivers Press.
AcTvity: Returning to JournalisTc Norms
