SOCIAL MEDIA GUIDELINES
SOCIAL MEDIA GUIDELINES
What does the term social media mean?
The term social media refers to tools that allow the sharing of informa-
tion and creation of communities through online networks of people.
What are some examples of social media?
There are many different manifestations of social media – and new
ones are being developed all the time. Some of the most common types:
* Social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace, where people
connect with one another, form communities around common interests
and share content, like news stories, videos, photos and general updates
on what’s going on in their lives.
* Blogs, which are generally written by a single person or specified
group of people, but where comment fields often allow for a broader dis-
cussion among readers.
* Microblogging sites, like Twitter, where a user can send short bits of
information publicly that can also be delivered to those who choose to fol-
low that user.
* Wikis, where content is collectively created by those who choose to
participate in the process.
* Content-sharing services, like YouTube (for video) and Flickr (for pho-
tos, video, etc.), where anyone can upload content for easy sharing and
discussion with others on the Web.
* Online forums, where participants can share ideas, debate topics and
get help with everything from how to roast a turkey to how to take a lap-
top apart.
* All sorts of other sites, from dating services to collaborative essay-
writing projects.
How do journalists use social media in their work?
It varies from journalist to journalist, but these are some common
uses:
* To track down sources – in particular, people who witnessed a news
event or were directly affected by it.
* To gather user-generated content, like photos or videos, that a news
provider may want to acquire and distribute/publish as part of its news
report.
* To look for news tips or discussion trends that might lead to or form
a story.
* To produce short-format original content, such as blog items.
* To find new sources and keep up with existing ones.
* To interact with news consumers directly to inform their reporting
and to promote their work.
* To share links that provide an additional entry point to existing con-
tent.
* To get a preliminary sense of how members of the public – or at least
social media users – are reacting to an event.
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How, in all formats, do you vet sources found through social
media?
The general rule of thumb is that you should apply the same principles
used in vetting a source found any other way. But there can be additional
challenges, since it can be difficult to verify the identity of sources found
online.
Most importantly, you should never simply lift quotes, photos or video
from social networking sites and attribute them to the name on the profile
or feed you found them under. Most social media sites offer a way to send
a message to a user – use this to establish direct contact, over e-mail or
phone, so you can explain what you’re working on and get more detailed
information about the source.
If a source claims to be an official from a company, organization or
government agency, call the place of business to confirm identity, just as
you would if a source called on the phone. And if the source provides fac-
tual information that’s central to a story, always pursue at least one ad-
ditional source for confirmation.
If you come across photos, videos or other multimedia content that you
would like to use in your news report, you’ll need to verify the authentic-
ity of the piece of content. You’ll then need to determine who controls the
copyright of the material and get permission from that person/organiza-
tion to use it.
Use particular caution if you find a social networking page or feed that
appears to belong to a person who is central to a story, especially if you
can’t get confirmation from that person. Phony accounts are rampant in
the social media world, so examine the details to determine whether the
page could have just as easily been created by somebody else.
How should social media not be used?
Social networks should never be used as a reporting shortcut when
another method, like picking up a phone or knocking on a door, would
yield more reliable or comprehensive information. For example, if a key
question in a story is only partly or indirectly answered by a tweet sent by
a government official, don’t settle for that – reach out to the official to find
out more. (Though the tweet might also be worth reporting.)
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aggregator A website or crowdsourcing The prac-
feed that amasses content from tice of asking a large collection of
other sources and assembles it in individuals online to help gather
a form digestible to its users. information or produce ideas.
Twitter is one common platform
API Abbreviation for applica- used for crowdsourcing. A blogger
tion programming interface. A or journalist might crowdsource
programming format/interface ideas for his or her writing, or a
that a website or a piece of soft- company might crowdsource a
ware uses to allow other websites commercial from amateur video
or software to interact with it. For submissions.
example, an API in eBay’s website
lets auction listings appear on curate The practice of select-
other sites. ing, packaging and presenting
content to the public online in a
app Short for application. A more personal and hand-picked
program that runs inside another way, as opposed to automated
service. Many cell phones allow news feeds. Often used in con-
applications to be downloaded to junction with social media.
expand their functions. App is ac-
ceptable on second reference. e-book The electronic,
nonpaper version of a book or
avatar A version of yourself publication, sold digitally and
that you put forward in an online commonly consumed on an e-
or video game setting. Sometimes book reader or e-reader, such as
bears a strong resemblance to the Amazon's Kindle.
user; at other times, it is used to
act out fantasies of a wished-for emoticon A typographical
identity. cartoon or symbol generally used
to indicate mood or appearance,
blog A website where short as :-) and often looked at side-
entries are usually (but not ways. Also known as smileys.
always) presented in reverse
chronological order, with the e-reader Or e-book reader.
newest entry first. Can be news, Devices such as Amazon’s Kin-
commentary, photos, video or dle, Barnes & Noble’s Nook and
any combination of the above and Sony’s Reader used to display
other items. Blogs can also be electronic books and other digital
distributed outside the website publications. Other devices, in-
context via RSS feed. cluding laptops and Apple’s iPad,
have e-reader software that can
Bluetooth A standard for perform similar functions.
short-range wireless transmis-
sions, such as in headsets, that Facebook
enable hands-free use of cell
phones. fan, follow, friend Actions
by which users connect to other
click-throughs A way of users on social networks. Friend
measuring how many people click and fan are typically used on Fa-
a link online to see its destina- cebook, while Twitter users follow
tion site. Click-throughs are often and have followers. Acceptable as
used to set advertising rates. both nouns and verbs.
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Google, Googling, metadata Data about data.
Googled Google is a trademark Examples of metadata include
for a Web search engine. Google, descriptors indicating when in-
Googling and Googled are used formation was created, by whom
informally as a verb for searching and in what format. Do not use
for information on the Internet. in a story without an explana-
Always capitalized. tion of what information is being
revealed in a given set of meta-
handle A self-selected, pub- data: Investigators determined
lic-facing username on a social that Johnson wrote the document
network, particularly Twitter. by analyzing its metadata, which
indicated that it had been saved
hashtag The use of a num- on his computer.
ber sign (#) on the Twitter net-
work to convey the subject a microsite A tightly focused
user is writing about so that it group of Web pages typically dedi-
can be indexed and accessed in cated to a single topic, product or
other users' feeds. If someone is service.
writing about the Super Bowl, for
example, the use of #superbowl MySpace
could be an appropriate hashtag.
No space is used between the retweet The practice, on
hashtag and the accompanying Twitter, of forwarding a message
search term. or link from someone else to your
followers. Spelled out in all refer-
IM Abbreviation for instant ences, though common usage on
message; sometimes used as a
Twitter abbreviates to RT.
verb IM'ing, IM'ed. Acceptable on
second reference for instant mes-
saging.
RSS An abbreviation for Really
Simple Syndication. A protocol for
keywords Terms used to de- subscribing to and distributing
fine an online search or embed in feeds that notify people of new
a file so that it becomes search- entries on news sites, blogs, pod-
able. casts or other online information
sources. Also RSS feed. RSS is ac-
LinkedIn ceptable in all references.
liveblog Snippets of informa- search engine optimiza-
tion about a particular event that tion Any of a number of meth-
are posted online in real time, ods, both informal and algorith-
usually in reverse chronological mic, used to ensure that online
order, with the newest entry first. content shows up in search
Can be used as a noun or verb. engines such as Google, thus
increasing traffic to the content.
mashup A combination of SEO is acceptable on second
two or more pieces of content or reference.
media to create something new.
For example, a video that blends smart phone An advanced
audio from a song with footage cell phone that allows for e-mail,
from several movies to build a Web browsing and downloadable
new storyline. applications.
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social networks Online net- ment. Often used to warn recipi-
works such as Facebook or Twit- ents of impending coarse or por-
ter where people share personal nographic images being sent.
and professional information and POS Parent over shoulder.
content, and connect with friends Used by teenagers and children to
and colleagues. indicate, in an IM conversation,
that a parent is approaching.
social media Online tools R Shorthand for are, as in, R U
that people use to connect with kidding? Also used in lowercase.
one another, including social removal of punctuation,
networks. characters It is acceptable in
instant-message and texting con-
status update A short ventions to remove punctuation
string of words used on social and characters, most often vow-
networks to alert followers to a els, to save time typing or thumb-
user's recent activities or point ing in letters. Thus, a word like
them to something of interest. remember could become rmbr or
American Idol could be rendered
text messaging/instant as amrcn idl.
messaging Increasingly, terms ROFL Rolling on the floor laugh-
and symbols used in text and in- ing. One step beyond LOL.
stant messaging are showing up thx Shorthand for thanks.
in quotations and regular writ- Also tnx.
ten exchanges. The following are U Shorthand for you.
a selection of the most popular Y Shorthand for why.
symbols, terms and abbreviations
used in texting and IMing. trending Used to indicate
2 Shorthand for to or too, as in that a particular topic is get-
I have something 4 U 2. ting a lot of attention on a social
4 Shorthand for for. network, typically Twitter. Often
BFF Best friend forever. Often used as a verb. Do not use with-
used sarcastically. out context and explanation. The
BRB Be right back. topic of the Oscars is trending on
C Shorthand for see, as in C U Twitter today.
later. Also used in lowercase.
capitalization Normal conven- Twitter A message-distribu-
tions of capitalization are often tion system that allows users to
ignored in IM and text messages post continual updates of up to
because the use of the shift key 140 characters detailing their ac-
slows down letter entry. tivities for followers or providing
G2G Got to go. links to other content. The verb is
IDK I don’t know. to tweet, tweeted. A Twitter mes-
IMO/IMHO In my opinion, in sage is known as a tweet.
my humble opinion.
LOL Laugh out loud or laugh- unfriend To remove someone
ing out loud. Use to indicate that from a list of friends, usually on
the sender has found something Facebook. Also defriend, an ac-
funny. See also ROFL. ceptable but less common usage.
NSFW Not safe for work. Used
to alert recipients that upcoming VoIP Voice over Internet Pro-
material or attachments may be tocol. A method of transmitting
objectionable in an office environ- sound as data over the Internet,
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allowing for inexpensive phone
conversations. VoIP is acceptable
on second reference.
website A location on the
World Wide Web that maintains
one or more pages at a specific
address. Also, webcam, webcast
and webmaster. But as a short
form and in terms with separate
words, the Web, Web page and
Web feed. See Web.
widget A small module with
a specific purpose that appears
on a website, desktop or other
interface and allows access to
content or functions.
wiki Software that allows
a group of users to add, delete,
edit and share information on an
intranet or Internet website.
Wikipedia An online en-
cyclopedia whose entries are
created and edited by its users,
regardless of a person's expertise.
May contain useful links, but
should not be used as a primary
source of information.
YouTube A video-serving net-
work owned by Google Inc. that
allows users to upload their own
videos for access by anyone with
a network connection.