Microblogging: “Tweet Tweet”

Having previously been a regular Twitter user, I had not thought much into Twitters relationship with journalism, let alone tweeting being classified as something called ‘microblogging.’ Microblogging is a broadcast medium that falls under the category of blogging. It differs from a traditional blog because its word count is often short in length, thereby encouraging the author to publish more frequent posts. Clearly recognisable as a function of Twitter, I want to tell my experience of becoming a citizen journalist and using Twitter to communicate with an audience on a journalistic rather than sociable level.

When discussing Twitter in light of microblogging, I see the 140 character posts in relation to ‘soundbites.’ From an array of information and ideas, the author has chosen a short extract, or snippet that best reflects what they want to say. In essence the micro blogger is giving his or her audience a preview of the wider story and over the course of a few tweets, drip feeding them with news and information.

Screenshot: My Twitter 

Having practised and written over the last couple of years coherent, precise news stories that followed the step by step regulations of traditional journalism, microblogging seemed a bit of a problematic task at first. It was almost like giving the audience the headline and then cutting out the main body of text, leaving them wondering what comes next. In many way’s this does have its perks. It means that the author can be more adventurous in their tweeting, they can produce a few sentences and entice their followers to return to their Twitter page to see what they have to post next.

I published a few follow on tweets:

Screenshot: My Twitter

Posting pictures and links alongside tweets could sometimes be very frustrating, as both forms of material take up a lot of the word count, therefore limiting even more what you can say. However, I believe that pictures and links are necessary in forming an engaging tweet, allowing them to speak for themselves. I tended to include a lot of links in my tweets so my followers could be re-directed to other sources of information that could further their knowledge and meant I didn’t really need the extra characters anyway.

Screenshot: My Twitter

Likewise with imagery. It’s always thoughtful as a micro blogger to show your audience with a photograph what you are simply trying to say. Also the use of the image can immediately liven up a tweet and tailor it to ‘you,’ personalising the information sourced. As discussed in my previous blog posts, news lovers in a digital era are craving the subjectivity in their news reading.

Screenshot: My Twitter

Screenshot: My Twitter

Like I previously said, I used Twitter more on a social basis and the use of the #hashtag was not something I had really thought much about. When using my own personal account, I didn’t really feel the need to connect with an audience beyond my own followers. However, since using my ‘journalism’ account and posting tweets on topics that would be of interest to those outside of my followers, I decided to incorporate the hashtag. A trending hashtag is the most popular and these change on a daily basis, however, a frequently used hashtag will attract a substantial amount of Twitter users to your tweet. I believed that because I was in essence a citizen journalist sourcing news, using a tool that would encourage more users to read and take notice of my tweets was extremely important in circulating news and spreading it across the Twitter platform.

Screenshot: My Twitter

Twitter offered other forms of engagement, such as polls and retweeting. I found I did not recieve a lot of votes on my polls, so if I was gathering responsive information this would not be very beneficial. 

Screenshot: My Twitter

Using the retweet button was always a good move. It enabled me to collect and post other sources of news on my own Twitter page, which added to my previous tweets or acted as a building block for my future tweets. I wanted my followers to see other views from organisations or indviduals. This further heightened the attraction of my Twitter. 

Screenshot: My Twitter

Screenshot: My Twitter

Having contributed to my own blog and being an English student meant I was all too familiar with expressing my thoughts in ‘wordy’ sentences. I enjoyed being able to test my other writing abilities and using Twitter as a way of helping my journalistic skills. I found it palatable and appealing as a medium for news sourcing. I can now articulate a sentence in a more concise manner, which I feel is a key attribute if I want to dip my toes further into the journalistic waters in the future. As well as a citizen journalist and long form blogger, I can now say I have put my hand to microblogging. The list is endless in a digital journalism era.  

To finish with, a question that I have been asking myself is, does this make microblogging more of a journalistic task, because authors are having to think more into the structure and clarity of the information they are tweeting?

What are your thoughts? Comment below. 

Vlogging and Advertising: The legal Issue

Screenshot: Guardian Article 

The Guardian released an article last year that discussed vlogging, advertising and the legal issues surrounding the two together. The headline stated that vloggers must clearly tell fans when they’re getting paid by advertisers as part of the Advertising Standards Authority rules and regulations.

The ASA told vloggers that “it pays to be honest” and that video bloggers are committing a criminal offence if they fail to tell their fans that they are being paid to promote a product or service. This came to light after a host of YouTube stars featured in an Oreo biscuit campaign which they did not clearly label in the video that they were being paid for their appearance. The Oreo company owner Mondelez signed up YouTube stars, Phil Lester, Dan Howell, Thomas Ridgewell and other vloggers to promote the product on their channel.

Screenshot: Orea Advert

However, the ASA received a complaint from a BBC journalist that argued Mondelez was not making it clear that his advertisements were actually marketing messages. Although the Oreo owner claimed he had not intended to mislead viewers and that the vloggers were made aware that they should be transparent in the fact that the ad was a promotion. Vloggers answered to the compliant and alleged that they stated in the description box that the video had been created with the brand Oreo. The ASA responded stating the ads were in a similar style to the content of their blog and therefore were not overtly clear that the Oreo clip was a marketing communication.

After much controversy, the sister body Committees of Advertising Practise (CAP) produced a new guidance for bloggers in August 2015, to help them attain a better understanding of how and when the advertising rules apply to their vlogs, so they maintain a fair relationship with their subscribers. It strongly claims that advertising rules, which are the same across all media platforms indicate that vloggers incorporating ads on their channels must make is clear that they are being paid to promote that product or brand and the advertiser is responsible for controlling the message when it becomes an ad.

Screenshot: Vlogging Guidance

Who knew vlogging faced so many legal challenges!

Legal Issues Facing Vloggers

Video blogging, or otherwise known as vlogging has stormed the internet over recent years. Much like blogging, users have the ability to express subjective, personalised perspectives on an issue or topic, but instead of hiding behind a computer screen, users are showing off their blogging talents in front of a camera. Many viewers prefer this type of digital, citizen journalism, because of the connection they can make with the blogger and the fact they can listen to what they have to say as opposed to reading. Maybe described as a ‘lazy’ way in which to receive news and information, but definitely one that’s growing in popularity.

YouTube vlogger: Emma Blackery

However, vloggers face the same legal issues as ‘traditional,’ professional journalists and other individuals who publish their work publically. Vloggers are entitled to the same freedoms in regards to speech and press, but they are also subject to restrictions in areas such as defamation, in particular slander, which is defined as the communication of a false statement that could harm the reputation of an individual, business, product or nation.

In regards to material with a copyright, although many have extremely long time expiry dates, some even ranging from 1989 to 2049, those that have expired are said to be within the public domain and can be used without permission or copyright infringement.

If a vlog is uploaded for educational purposes then the use of copyrighted material falls under the “fair use” provision of the Copyright Act, which claims that a reasonable use of copyrighted work can be used without permission or criticism. Even so, many vlogs will share a notice at the beginning or end of their video, giving credit to the copyright owners. Vloggers must be aware of the fact that not citing sources can be seen as an attempt to pass off copyrighted material as their own and is not considered fair use. This can result in being deemed as plagiarism and the vlogger could even face a penalty.

Because both fair use and public domain are complex areas, vloggers are advised to seek permission through a written contract from the copyright holder of any material that they wish to include in their vlog.

Many vloggers tend to review products over YouTube. The legality issues that surround this type of vlogging state that as a long as you mention the relationship between you and the product maker you cannot be accused of slander. If the product is received free of charge, then when reviewing the product the vlogger must state that they have received the product for free or brought it themselves. In a product review vloggers are allowed to quote or report expert’s opinions.

Screenshot: Vlogger

If you watch product reviews they are mainly filmed within the vloggers home, an area that they hold ownership of and are not bound to copyright. However, as long as vloggers are filming in a public place or a private area whereby permission is attained from the owner, then no laws are being broken. 

If a newbie to the journalistic world of vlogging, then I would suggest reading the legal section on the YouTube homepage and if unsure on any of your content in a vlog then seek legal advice before publication.  

Screenshot: Legal terms on YouTube

The rise of digital journalism, means both citizen journalists and professional journalists face very similar legal issues when reporting news or information, regardless of the platform that it is being reported on. 

Blogging is not Journalism: True or False?

Image taken from Jon

After looking at blogging and its threat to traditional journalism, I thought I would publish a follow up post on ‘Is blogging really considered a form of journalism?’

Some media pundits are sceptical to this question and claim that blogging cannot really be considered a form of serious journalism.

Blogging does not seem to follow the same conventional journalistic standards of imbalance, accuracy and objectivity that large media and news outlet organisations are strictly made to abide by. Described as a media platform for ‘amateur’ citizen journalists, blogging is essentially subjective and seeks an emotional response of some sort from its reader. These are features that do not fall under traditional journalism and if digital journalism is dismissed, then blogging in essence could be challenged as a form journalism.

Mike Smartt, editor of BBC News Online, told dotJournalism: "It's like all stuff on the web," dissemination of information is great, but how much of it is trustworthy? They are an interesting phenomenon, but I don't think they will be as talked about in a year's time.”

Lloyd Shepherd, chief producer for Guardian Unlimited agrees, claiming “weblogs have a role alongside the usual news output, but are not journalism: Blogging is not structured in the way journalism is. People are putting their views out in a relatively unprocessed manner.”

Nevertheless, many of those who are embracing the digital journalism culture are pleased to welcome blogging as a form of serious or light-hearted journalism.

Image made on Pablo Buffer

In a modern age of constant thirst for something new, frequent internet users who need their daily fix of news are interested in a new media realm that print or TV journalism cannot offer, such as a personalised, interactive account, which provides a new ‘voice’ on the angle of news. At the heart of this growth is the dissatisfaction and loss of faith in large media conglomerates. If journalism by formal definition is to report in a non-bias, objective manner, than blogging is not journalism. However, if professional media outlets do not even follow these codes and conventions then surely blogging cannot be pushed off of journalism territories?

Some also believe that blogging is not monitored, but much like news organisations who have a system of editorial practises, blogging has a community of editors, who will likely report any misconduct or inappropriate published material.

Screenshot: Blogger content

Blogging has attained an authoritative status, by readers who have trusted their content over the content of a professional news mediums. Reflecting on the discussion and weighing up blogging in light of ‘new found’ and digital journalism, I would answer false to the blog title question. Blogging does infact play a significant part in the world of journalism, especially in a society that is growing in contemporary means of communicating news. 

Is Blogging a Threat to Traditional Journalism?

Over the past few years, blogging has become an elite phenomenon in the online journalism world. Ordinary individuals are becoming citizen journalists and expressing their thoughts, debating a topical issue, or simply discussing a particular subject over a ‘blogging platform.’ Blog posts commonly consist of a short and snappy discussion, an analysis or debate that can include hyperlinks, imagery and even videos that are often posted in a chronological order, with the ability to allow the viewer to easily access previous blog posts through the blogs navigation tools.

Screenshot: Navigation tool

I was first introduced to fashion, beauty and lifestyle blogs, which have grown in popularity over the past year, seeing the most impressive blogs creating successful career pathways and immense publicity for their authors. Famous lifestyle blogger Zoella, has made it big in the blogging industry, after receiving an incredible amount of views on and responses to her blog.

Screenshot: Zoella Google Page

Screenshot: Zoella's Blog

However, it is not just fashion, beauty and lifestyle blogs that have thrived, other blogs surrounding topical issues, or journalism debates are very popular online readings.

Screenshot: Journalism Blog

But are these bloggers posing as a threat to traditional journalists?

Some may answer yes, because of the opinionated, often biased and incoherent views of bloggers, who have the ability to express almost anything that they desire online, which can reach hundreds of thousands of internet users in a matter of minutes. Something that is highly personalised and frequently informal in its content, seems to attract more people to read and take notice. It appears that we are more receptive to what normal, everyday people have to say on an issue than to the same issue that may be reported by someone in the professional industry. Is this because we feel more comfortable listening to and have more faith in a citizen journalist, we understand their point of view because they are removed from the system of legislation that bounds journalists to a particular set of rules of expression? Or are we simply lazy in the fact that we spend more time on the internet, making blogs more accessible and exciting and newspapers unattainable and dull? These are all questions that modern day, digital journalism speaks for.

Some blogs are regarded as undermining traditional journalism, because they do not hold an objective stance, or present the correct information and data to be a reliable ‘news’ source. For example, many bloggers are discussing recent news topics, such as the current reporting on ISIS:

Screenshot: Blogging on ISIS

Screenshot: Blogging on ISIS

A story that features prominently in professional news organisations and with such magnitude to many civilians, blogging on such a serious topic can sometimes illustrate false information and often display the wrong facts that in essence can cause hysteria and confusion. In light of this news story, blogging by the inexperienced can cause a threat to traditional journalism, because the truth could be twisted and distorted, as a way of alluding to the thoughts and opinions of the blogger. In this case it should be the professional news outlets that individuals are turning to in order to obtain a ‘truthful’ headline.

Although, the rise in digital journalism means we spend a lot more time engaging on social media and scrolling through the internet, our fondness for blogging as means of acquiring news dictates because of our loss of faith and lack of trust in notorious journalists and news organisations. For example, after the phone hacking scandal from the now defunct News of the World Corporation, many who relied heavily on their validity and good nature, were disappointed in their unlawful actions.

Image taken from: Mickey

So, we can’t really blame people for turning their backs on traditional journalism and finding a new source of news, especially since ‘new found’ online journalism has so much to offer. 

How a Job Hunting App can be a New Form of Contemporary Digital Journalism: Debut Careers

Screenshot: Debut Careers homepage

Deciding, as a soon to be graduate myself that I would like to focus my blog on journalism and social media, I therefore spent a lot of time on my new ‘journalismy’ Twitter account to find new and interesting developments that pose as 'new found' journalism tools.

After much tweeting and exploring, I finally stumbled across Debut Careers,“The world’s first #graduate & #student #careers app.”

Screenshot: Debut Career's Twitter

The mobile app was only launched in October 2015, for both Android and Apple users and because it was such a new development of course I was eager to blog about it. In light of the growth of modern day digital journalism, Debut Career’s is described as a “pioneering mobile graduate attraction” that provides ‘on the go’ engagement in the most extensive digital generation. Users are able to access the app whilst out and about, so they not confined to the limits of their home or a computer available environment, perfect for us app obsessed students, who are never apart from our mobile devices. It’s extremely satisfying knowing that our hand held devices can be considered more than just a phone and our social media platforms can (finally) be put to good use.

Screenshot: Debut Careers

I really enjoyed exploring Debut Career’s lively and engaging Twitter account. They post regular updates on their app, showing users where to look for specific career information and generally letting their followers see what a hardworking and enthusiastic brand they are, which is what I think social media is all about; showing off your good side. They also retweet and post other material associated with their app that is beneficial for both current students and graduates.

Screenshot: Debut Career's Twitter

With much persuasion through Twitter connectivity, I decided to check out their website and download the app myself. I was really surprised at how aesthetically pleasing their website was and the content really caught my attention as it was short and sharp and didn’t mean that I had to scroll through lots of information in order to find out what the brand was all about - much like reading a headline, you want to be drawn in straight away. I particularly liked how they have used quotes from large corporations in order to attract users, as having a renowned company comment on the app makes it more reliable and worthwhile. Similar also to how a news story is constructed, pulling together quotations from a number of sources. The app can be depicted as a form of modern day persuasive journalism, as it is the ‘voice’ reaching out to the ears of the ‘listeners.’

Screenshot: Debut Career's quote

The website is very easy to navigate and offers additional features, such as the Debut Careers blog and any press that they have received.

The blog offers career related debates, general information and guidance, Over the past year blogging has been an important journalist development and has definitely made its mark on contemporary journalism. To read more on blogging and its threat to traditional journalism, read my post here, 
 Additionally, the press section shows recent articles that have featured Debut Careers. Pretty impressive that they have already appeared in prestige news outlets, such as The Telegraph, The Mirror and The Independent.

Much like the website the mobile app itself is stress-free to navigate, simplistic, but engaging in its content. To be ambiguous, this sounds comparable to a news story, whereby the article must be written in simplistic, understandable terms, but must also be attention-grabbing in its nature. 

Screenhot: Debut Careers app

The app allows users to create a personal profile, where by you are matched with suitable jobs (sounds all a little too familiar to online dating, but definitely more advantageous) and you can either investigate further into that job, or search for your own preferences. A lot like finding a news angle or news story. You gather a story, investigate it further and then finally report it, like applying for a job at the end of all your investigating. 

Screenshot: Debut Careers profile

Original picture: Debut Careers app

In relation to the rise in modern day and digital journalism, mobile apps for careers are a great way of connecting with future employers and bonding with your dream job. As adventurous as it may seem, this app holds many symbollic connotations to the act of journalism. From its content to its imagery, all elements stand under a similar umbrella and contemporary journalism allows as to see these hidden parallels with journalism's traditional roots. 

“Drag and Drop” Journalism: The Modern Day Storify

As part of our third year ‘News and Journalism’ module, we were asked to explore Storify. An online citizen journalism tool that is best known for its news curation, by allowing its users to search, select and pull together the focal ‘voices’ on social media accounts, such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, in order to produce a story or timeline. Being a tool that was very new to me and something I was therefore unaware of how to really use, I took to YouTube to see how others selected a piece of news and turned it into their own story.

YouTube: Storify Tutorial

Realising this journalism tool wasn’t too hard to grasp, I had a go at producing a story for myself. What I found particularly interesting was the notion of “drag and drop” or “copy and paste” journalism. As a user, I was taking an existing headline and adding my own exciting spin on the story as a way of reporting it back to other citizen journalists.

Screenshot: Storify

 Our assignment had a particular focus on the spread of news through the social media platform Twitter, therefore when creating a story I would only use the ‘Twitter’ search bar. Even though I was able to pull together some really attention-grabbing, applicable tweets from both professional news outlets and everyday tweeters, I was limited in the information I could apply to my story. If I had the opportunity to use other social media platforms, such as Facebook or Instagram, or I was able to apply a YouTube clip, or a personal image, my news story would be more in depth and analytical and would thus appeal to a wider audience.

Screenshot: Storify

Screenshot:Storify

Simple enough so it seemed to drag and drop a tweet of your choice, the website did suffer from a few glitches, which meant that the search bar would not load the Twitter feed and this affected my ability to select the relevant material. Although only a temporary issue, I did also come across another hurdle. I found that seeking an account was extremely username sensitive and if the username was not correct to the letter, number or symbol then the appropriate account would not load. Additionally, many of the notorious news outlets updated their Twitter frequently (and I mean every 10 minutes), so searching for that ‘right’ tweet was sometimes very time consuming. Also one of the stories I posted, the news outlet from which I read the original article had not posted that particular news story on their Twitter feed, therefore I would have to look for the story on other news outlets.  

Not wanting to present just my negative perceptions of this journalism tool, I was intrigued by the way in which the site posed as a form of news curation. A specific news story would in essence be reproduced by drawing in elements from external ‘citizen’ reporters or news outlets on Twitter.

I particular enjoyed pulling together and narrating a story on the Guardian’s “Largest UK sperm bank turns away dyslexic donors”

Screenshot: The Guardian

This was a controversial topic that caused wide spread debate over Twitter.

Screenshot: Storify

Screenshot: Storify

Taking snippets of 140 character news writing and integrating them to form a newly established narrative was a great way for me as a student to gain a greater understanding of what is going on in the news and also allow other individuals to see my own perception of something recently reported on in the news. 

Screenshot: Storify

Screenshot: Storify

A tool that at first displayed itself as lazy and straight forward journalism, has altered my perception to what I believe to be the new form of journalism for the future. 

Check out my Storify here.