ECREA16-Abstract

420

Saturday, November 12

1 6 : 0 0 – 1 7 : 3 0

JOS30

Disrupting Journalism: Challenging Concepts and Professional Practices

PP 671

Social Media Logic in Journalism: Reshaping the Profession

U. Hedman

University of Gothenburg, Dept. of Journalism- Media and Communicaiton, Gothenburg, Sweden

Twitter is often considered the most important social media in journalism, and journalists (as a group) are among the most active on Twitter. For journalists,

Twitter is a place for research, dialogue, content distribution, networking, and, not least important, branding. Furthermore, Twitter allows for the public to

follow both news organizations and individual journalists and get information on ongoing news events, learn more about how the news are created, and

get to know the individuals behind the news on a more personal level.The social media logic promotes not only an adaption to a sharing logic, but also a mix

of professional, personal and private content, as well as interaction and dialogue. In this context, the aim of this study is to analyze how journalists adapt to

a social media logic and differences between groups of journalists. This study analyzes patterns of Twitter use among groups of journalists. The theoretical

perspective draws mainly from theories on social media (and media) logic. Empirically, the study draws from a quantitative content analysis of Swedish

journalists’Twitter presentations and account information (N 2,543). By analyzing differences among groups of journalists, different patterns of Twitter use

can be identified.The findings suggest that the social media logic is shaping a new, or at least somewhat different, journalist.The journalists that fully adapt

to the social media logic are not only more audience orientated, networking, and individualistic, in line with what earlier research has suggested, but also

significantly more orientated towards social media as their main professional platform.

PP 672

Learning by Failing – Editorial Expectations to Social Media Use Among Journalists

K.A. Ihlebæk

, A. Larsson

University of Oslo, Department of Media and Communication, Oslo, Norway

Westerdals Oslo School of Arts- Communication and Technology, Oslo, Norway

News media organisations are increasingly dependent on social media intermediaries like Facebook and Twitter to distribute content and to facilitate

the public debate (Canter 2013, Hille and Bakker 2013). Likewise, social media have become important professional tools for journalists in their everyday

work practices (Hedman 2014, Hermida et al. 2012). While there are obvious advantages for news organizations and for journalists to utilize social media

platforms, dilemmas related to these uses are also found. Of particular relevance to this paper is how the use of social media potentially blurs the line

between the professional and the private roles of journalists (Rogstad 2014). The paper at hand investigates social media use among journalists from

an editorial point of view. Research has documented how different journalists use social media for a number of work-related practices (Hedman and Djerf-

Pierre 2013, Hille and Bakker 2013). However, there has been less focus on this topic from an editorial perspective. Such a focus is useful to gain insights

into“the contextual complexity”(Fenton 2010, p.3) surrounding the use of new technology in the field of journalism and the production of news. The study

is guided by the following research questions: How are the expectations for social media use among journalist expressed in news media organisations?

And how is the potential blurring between the professional and private role discussed and managed? The study builds on a mixed-method approach. First,

qualitative elite interviews with thirteen chief editors in leading national and regional media organizations have been carried out. Second, a represen‑

tative survey directed to members of The Norwegian Journalist Association (NJ), were conducted. The questionnaire was sent out to all 7446 registered

journalists and received a response rate of 21.7 % (N= 1613). Our study shows that the expectations to social media use differ both in form and content.

In the survey, the journalists were asked if they had guidelines for social media use in their company. 30 % (N=479) of the journalists answered no, 48 %

(N =740) confirmed they did, while 21 % (N=332) were not sure. Among those who had guidelines, 68 % (N=501) reported that they included advice on

what they should or should not say as a journalist, while 53 % (N=386) had guidance about what they should say privately. Furthermore, 49 % (N=361)

of the journalists report that the guidelines included information on how to share content, 37 % (N=271) on how to follow up their own stories in social

media, and 35 % (N=260) on how to engage in dialogue with the audiences. In the qualitative interviews the the general impression is that guidelines

often are developed on an ad hoc basis due to the dynamic nature of social media. Asked to reflect upon on the blurring of the professional and the private

roles on social media, many chief editors stressed that journalists should be visible, but also cautious on social media. The authors discuss how this delicate

balance often is addressed as problems occur, pointing to a "learning by failing"-approach.

PP 673

Knocking Down the Door: How Social Media and UGC Are Challenging Newsgathering and Gatekeeping Practices

L. Johnston

City University London, Journalism Studies, London, United Kingdom

Social media and citizen journalism have charged towards the ‘gates’of traditional newsgathering. This challenge has at times left journalists lost in a sea

of seemingly unlimited content, which editors would previously only use as a ‘last resort’ compared to traditional news sources. Instead of competing

against‘the people formerly known as the audience’(Rosen 2008), today’s journalists have learned to harness this content through trial and error. However,

this move raises questions about the validity of certain footage, whether balanced reporting can be achieved, and if journalists, now working in a multi‑

media context, should strive to retain any type of gatekeeping role in the future.. The researcher acknowledges claims from the likes of Hermida (2012) and

Lotan (2011) that passive consumers are now active content creators. As a result, traditional gatekeeping needs to be reconceptualised, particularly taking

into account new platforms for newsgathering and news dissemination. This research seeks to examine whether as a concept gatekeeping can remain

relevant in the 21

century newsroom, and also whether ‘gatewatching’ (Bruns 2003, 2011) ‘networked gatekeeping’ (McElroy 2013, Robinson 2006), or

any other ‘variegated’alternative works better in relation to the work of journalists based within traditional news outlets. Also, does the relationship with

the audiences alter the concept of gatekeeping from the perspective of a journalist? Drawing on in-depth interviews with BBC News staff and long term