BLOG 9

In my opinion, while social media outlets such as Twitter and Facebook have their place in peoples' lives, they are not appropriate for use as news sources. The article about the election and related issues in Iran was a good example of the importance of such social networking sites. Twitter and other sites like it allowed the Iranian people to remain connected to the rest of the world, even through attempted government censorship and isolation. The sites became the sole way for outsiders to have an idea of what was going on in Iran, and for the Iranian people to convey the issues as seen through their own scope. Social media are a good source of information, but not necessarily a good news source. In other words, I think that social media are to be taken advantage of in that they do provide readers with information that they would not otherwise have access to. However, it should be taken into account that the information attained by using these sites is 100% unfiltered, unchecked, and biased based on the perspective of the writer. The information consumed via social media outlets should be done so responsibly and with discernment, and a shared understanding that the context is casual and opinion-based.
That being said, journalists should also participate in social media responsibly, and with the knowledge of the full weight carried by their position. It is common knowledge that journalists have access to news information first, and that they are professionally trained and highly educated. If journalists can manage to remain professional and insightful while using social media, then I think these sites can be seen as a good thing for them. However, if they cannot, then it will work to their detriment and the detriment of the readers as well. If professionalism and ethics are lost on these social media by news reporters then the news and social media will be discredited. The irony of the article about Obama's off-the-record commentary is not lost on me. There is a clear parallel between the President's inability to maintain anonymity in any situation and the journalist's inability to comment without "reporting."