Twethics

It's clear that Twitter has become a staple of the social media (well until it's reign ends) and thus many journalists use it as a communication skills or more importantly as a extension of their CV.

Through this surprisingly simple social network format is not just simply used in professional capacity. An example could be how Piers Morgan has used his Twitter to conduct arguments with celebrities in the case of Gary Lineker. Who swiftly answered his tweet:

Clearly etqiue is required for the use of social media for journalists, even in our un-professional capacity we should be careful about what we say our words our more powerful then we think. Johann Hari was even found to use the anonymity of the internet to attack and criticise people who gave his work a negative review.

Even though many of journalists and professionals add to their Twitter descriptions 'All views are my own' I feel some people use this in a way to excuse slightly unethical things.

 haven't added this to my Twitter descriptions because mainly it's a pet peeve and a sign that some people tend to take themselves to seriously. Also I feel some common sense is needed with this, people must realise that these are private accounts, groups and companies have their own Twitter accounts.

At the end of the day journalists ethics should apply to our private lives, like listening to all side of the stories, not posting cruel comments about a subject like I almost did yesterday about Piers Morgan but decided to keep my integrity and keep my views to myself.

When it comes to social media and journalists in their spare time. An old saying could be advised 'If you can't say anything nice don't say it at all'.

How to take the fan boy/girl out of interviews

This week feedbacks suggested I should be a little more careful with my grammar and spelling. So I hope this is reflected from now on.

This week I'm going to look at interviewing and how sometimes the interviewee could compromise the un-biased nature of the role of a journalist. I will also look at how negative stereotyping of journalists could lead improper behaviour of reporters.

Chris Frosts writes on the image of how a journalist is portrayed. 'The public's view of reporters often seems to be coloured by the reporters fiction. This impression comes from films and TV where reporters are played as unpleasant in order to build the moral uprightness of the hero.'

When this could have been changed to the other scale could have been when a BBC Breakfast reporter interviewed Hugh Grant and was accused of flirting. This an example of the school of attachment in the most negative sense.

When it comes to interviewing someone you admire it can be difficult to stay detached and un-biased.

An example of when I've had to be careful and ensure I keep that balance is when I interviewed Andy Desa.

I study martial arts and a martial artist like Andy Desa is quite inspirational to me so it was difficult for me to deal with is request to mention a product he used to keep him fit as I feared it was un-ethical. However my editor said it was fine with no ethical difficulties. (http://thelincolnite.co.uk/2010/11/desa-is-lincolns-silver-centurion-at-38/ )

Again sometimes attachment can add heart to the story and can be necessary. As Chris Frost says their are two types of interviews:

'1. As research for a news story;

2. As a performance; part of the story in its own right (mainly for broadcast)'

This is more suitable for point 2. Though it wasn't intentional during a recorded interview with a war hero I may have come off as attached. Have a listen and see what you think and post in the comments: (http://thelincolnite.co.uk/2011/03/pilot-recalls-world-war-2-experiences/ )

Ironically I've written in a way of self help guide for myself and other journalists who sometimes get carried away interviewing their role models. Some final points to remember:

1. Spoke slowly and clearly

2. Research is good but don't show off about it and state fact after fact.

3. Keep calm and take some deep breaths and the end of the day it's another human being and if you see them that way a relaxed environment should ensue.