The Verge | How Twitter’s Communities could bring context back
In a move that is likely to be welcomed by many exhausted Twitter users, the social media giant has announced that it will be introducing Twitter Communities to the platform. Communities are the equivalent of Facebook Groups and Reddit’s subreddits where you have to be a member to participate in activities on that feed in any way. The move is aimed at making some Twitter users more comfortable tweeting again. This could be a game-changer for Twitter, which has seen many users leave the platform as a result of its ‘toxic’ nature. Read more here.
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Journalism.co.uk | Five sources of inspiration for journalists on social media
There is an increasing number of journalists who are using social media to boost their presence online as this piece outlines. But social media can be used for more than simply growing followers and increasing likes. It can be used to bring readers into your world as a journalist beyond the content that accompanies your byline. It is an opportunity to show the behind-the-scenes life on the job, share information that could not make it into your copy or even just showing a more well-rounded view of who you are beyond your job title. We learn from a number of journalists on different platforms how to do this effectively. Read more here.
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IJNET | How to deal with pre-publishing nerves
This article explores an issue seldom talked about. Journalists, like other creatives, can often feel anxious about the prospect of putting their work out there. While it may be exciting to grow your profile and portfolio of work, it can be just as nerve-wracking to think about how your work will be received. We hear from experienced journalists how to navigate these fears and the piece also offers some useful reminders to keep your nerves at bay. Read more here.
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Poynter | How 9/11 changed journalism
As the world commemorates the twentieth anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Poynter shares how that day changed its trajectory forever. Moreover, the piece unpacks how journalism changed too, by failing in its watchdog role. The industry allowed itself to be swept up by the war talk of the Bush administration and revenge-seeking. Read more here.
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The East African | The media has become a purveyor of political propaganda and toxicity
Are journalists who interview powerful politicians truly well equipped to handle their own? Or is the conversation led by the politician and swayed in his favour as the journalist shrinks, unable to reclaim the narrative? The author of this piece laments this, saying that some Kenyan reporters are unable to hold their own against their leaders who are experienced in the art of steering the conversation and then serving propaganda that is not backed up by facts. Read more here.
