twitter saves newspapers
DESCRIPTION
A talk I gave to some of our reporters about using Twitter as a platform for reporting live news events -- and not just to push links. Refers to Ottawa Citizen Twitter coverage of several live news events, including the criminal trial and acquittal of Ottawa Mayor Larry O'Brien.TRANSCRIPT
saves newspapers.
saves newspapers.
…maybe.
How we use Twitter now…
• Following newsmakers
How we use Twitter now…
• Following newsmakers (…or other journalists)
How we use Twitter now…
• Following newsmakers (or other journalists)
• Finding sources
How we use Twitter now…
• Following newsmakers (or other journalists)
• Finding sources• Pushing links
Instead, use Twitter to report news…
• As it happens, nearly live• From the scene• Direct to readers
• Scoops competitors• Room for extra detail
(including photos)• Replaces notebook
Great for newspapers
• Puts us on even footing with radio and TV
• Bloggers and “citizen” journalists, eat our wake
Twitter-able news events
• Crime, fire or accident scenes• Court cases, especially
verdicts• Meetings or debates• Concerts• Sports
Twitter-able news events
• Crime, fire or accident scenes• Court cases, especially
verdicts• Meetings or debates• Concerts• Sports
Limitations
• Still a limited number of users• Competitors are reading you.• No good way to monetize (yet)
Making Twitter pay
• Web-hosted, next to ads• Better integration of ads• Tiered access• Tweets delivered to any
platformSMS, RSS, email, Facebook
Technology
• TwitterBerry or UberTwitter
• Laptop + RocketStick
• Laptop + WiFi
QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Twitter style for journalism
• Use #hashtags, #cdnpoli, #swinelineott, #sens, #fail.
• Don’t use abbreviations, texting jargon like l8r, u r :(.
• Capitalize and punctuate.• Use quotations and quote
marks wherever possible.
Twitter tone
• Lighter than in conventional reporting
• Interactive• Fallible
Twitter troubles
• Bias• No indemnity (yet)• Everything is public
• Don’t Tweet drunk
• Don’t Tweet drunk
• Don’t Tweet drunk• Follow @shitmydadsays
• Don’t Tweet drunk• Follow @shitmydadsays
-30-