Are journalists lazy and cocky?
March 19, 2008 //
Earlier today I asked the same question on Twitter. Below are the responses I received from some of the people with whom I’m connected in that community.
@Adders Many journos are only interested in web tools when they look like print.
@rdelevan Oi! Or is it that lazy/cocky execs need an easy target to vent their frustrated ambition? Bah.
@jackiedanicki i follow loads of journos. they’re just outnumbered in general by PR twats.
@micflan similar discussion on boards.ie recently re jurnos. Is it really lazy though? everyone else does business online, why not jurnos?
@rslux they are frequently less technically savvy
I don’t assume journalists to be cocky or lazy. I asked the question on Twitter because I don’t see many journalists using the tool. It’s entirely possible, likely even, that I’m just not connected with them, or I am and don’t know it.
Anyway, if you’re a journalist and reading this, let me know if you find Twitter useful. If you don’t use it, try it. It’s a fantastic source of information, not to mention a great way to find out who the real influencers are, from whom you can solicit opinion for specific articles.
Andy Oakes says 
James Pearce says 
Joe Scanlon says 
Hi Paul, I think Twitter is great as a journalistic tool.
I would like to think that more journalists are using Twitter, RSS feeds, blog watching, Facebook, boards.ie etc for info and gaining contacts and interview opportunities they couldn’t armed with just a phone and email but they probably aren’t. I, personally, can’t live without any of these things.
March 27th, 2008
In the same slow, steady way that journalists started reading/writing blogs they will too begin to use Twitter. It’s just new and word is filtering around. Lately I’ve been reading a lot of angry missives from bloggards complaining bitterly how journos have been stealing their stuff. That is reprehensible on the journalist’s part and even more so on an editor’s part for allowing this happen. If a writer quotes or takes anything from a blog it is incumbent on them to cite the source.
The next issue to spot will be what journalists will do with Twitter. Again, this will raise ethical issues on media usage. I’ve only been using it on and off for the past few weeks and can’t see myself being as prolific a poster on it but can see its value in sharing insights, identifying potential contacts for a story, etc.
The part where it gets interesting and/or troubling will be where journalists start gathering leads from the bits of info flying around and how these opinions/bites will be used. A casual comment by a Twitterer could form the basis of a news story that could be entirely inaccurate and lad said Twitterer in a load of s**t. Should journalists have some kind of code of conduct when it comes to using Twitter and/or other sources? Personally I think so. To the public I straddle print and online media. But in a work sense I’m still old fashioned in that I like a good conversation and collaboration and keeping people in the clear on how I intend to go with a story.
On the question of are journalists lazy and cocky, some are, some aren’t. The world has become a giant sweetshop of information. As a journalist wrestles with a feature and news print/online deadline the pressure to remain productive is immense. It’s how journalists deal with that pressure and maintain a credible voice in the 21st century amid the cacophony of many new forms of expression that will be interesting in the days ahead. Now, feel free to cut me to shreds.
March 27th, 2008
@Marie - isn’t it amazing how fast people are to use those tools. I’m amazed by how the personal barriers drop when using Twitter. So, not only is it great for giving/receiving information - it’s the tone in which it’s delivered that we benefit from most.
@John thanks for the detailed response/insight. You’re absolutely right about Twitter being new. It’s extremely new to say the least - it will remain in the hands of the early adoptors too until it’s bought and used as an engine inside a real ‘application’ which will be used by the masses.
Take my Facebook statup update for example. I changed it to say that I sold Segala and my phone/email/FB/Twitter feeds went mental. I also ended up on TechCrunch.
I love the fact that journalists are on Twitter. I’d love nothing more than to be able to twitter a message and for journalists to get in touch if the story is relevant to them at that particular time. BTW, I have a great story for you both very soon
April 4th, 2008