Updated social media guidance for ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ journalists
Few news organisations can now doubt the crucial role social media plays in breaking down barriers to engagement, opening up newsgathering networks, and as an outlet for journalism.
Sometimes there's still a sense of risk, especially around staff use, which has prompted different responses from different organisations. At the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳, guidance for all its employees has previously been published covering official use of social media and personal use.
Today we're publishing our (in fact a refreshed version of guidance we've had for a while), which goes into a bit more detail to cover issues specific to our news operations.
There are a few rules but it's mainly suggestions, reminders, best practice and housekeeping. The aim is to help people get the best out of social networks and tools, working within the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳'s editorial values that are at the core of our journalism.
We think it's important to be open about what we're doing in this area. To pick out a few key points that might be of interest:
• The guidance is based on common sense, the section on personal activity starting with the phrase: "Don't do anything stupid". It goes on to say - among other things - that you shouldn't say anything that compromises your impartiality or sound off "in an openly partisan way".
• We label the Twitter accounts of some presenters and correspondents as "official" - and are also today publishing some . This activity is regarded as ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ News output and tweets should normally be consistent with this, reflecting and focusing on areas relevant to the role or specialism, and avoiding personal interests or unrelated issues. A senior editor keeps an eye on tweets from these accounts after they're sent out.
• Finally, we remind people that programme or genre content - like and - should normally be checked by a second person before it goes out. The guidance also urges people to think carefully about the practicalities and editorial purpose of this activity. It shouldn't be started "because it's what everyone does these days".
The guidance we're publishing is not set in stone. It will change as the digital and social media landscape changes - hopefully as fast.
For now, as it is, it aims to strike the right balance for us and to help our journalists engage, gather news and spread their journalism.
Chris Hamilton is ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ News's social media editor. You can find him on Twitter
Comment number 1.
At 14th Jul 2011, anotherfakename wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 1)
Comment number 2.
At 14th Jul 2011, Sandstrom wrote:As I write the blog post by Nick Reynolds on the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Internet Blog, pointing at this one, fails to show on the RSS feed for that blog. Also it is missing from the Twitter feed of that blog. The oversight rather shows that "the crucial role social media plays" is being ignored.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 2)
Comment number 3.
At 14th Jul 2011, philocleanthes wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 3)
Comment number 4.
At 14th Jul 2011, anotherfakename wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 4)
Comment number 5.
At 14th Jul 2011, alat kesehatan wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 5)
Comment number 6.
At 14th Jul 2011, FishFingers wrote:I am still very concerned by the way the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ references information it finds on Twitter.
For example, if a celebrity reveals something on Twitter (say the name of their baby) and the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ knows the account to be genuine, is there any need to mention that the information was posted on Twitter? Why not just say that the celebrity said that, instead of mentioning the Twitter name (which is usually in breach of the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳'s editorial guidelines on undue prominence).
Likewise, if a comment is sent to the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ and it is read on air or posted as part of "live" coverage, why are we told that it came from Twitter? Why does the communication medium have to even be mentioned? Why not simply say that the person sent a message?
Again, the constant references to Twitter as part of live news coverage on the website are dubious, and I would say step over the mark of what is permissible under the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳'s own guidelines.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 6)
Comment number 7.
At 14th Jul 2011, JunkkMale wrote:'the crucial role social media plays in breaking down barriers to engagement'
How, with some considerable evidence to suggest the exact reverse in certain quarters, is that working out?
Google kicked off with 'don't be evil'. Odd that, like others, and here, a more positive note was not favoured.
They seem to be struggling too, and that's only after a very brief time in the media infirmament.
Explains much. Excuses little.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 7)
Comment number 8.
At 15th Jul 2011, Ceiderduck wrote:Good point. What I would really like to know is if the constant references to these sites, Twitter and Facebook, in any way breaches the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳'s editorial guidelines on giving undue precedence to a particular product.
Especially since both sites quite clearly use advertising.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 8)
Comment number 9.
At 15th Jul 2011, JunkkMale wrote:2. At 14:29 14th Jul 2011, Sandstrom wrote:
As I write the blog post by Nick Reynolds on the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Internet Blog
/blogs/bbcinternet/2011/07/social_media_guidance_for_bbc.html
Just...
Read more
Be very quick.
and comment
And very lucky.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 9)
Comment number 10.
At 15th Jul 2011, Giselle wrote:Social Media, Twitter, Facebook - of absolutely no interest to me.
I like blogs. Particularly blogs by Peston, Flanders and Robinson. You know, where the journalist (or whatever they want to be called) puts up some news for debate and then gets comments from others. By comments, I mean opinions, with foresight, probably new suggestions, but something that really gets people interested and debating.
Unfortunately, yesterday, Giles closed the only blog left where you could place a comment of more than an extremist's dream of 400 characters (including spaces). This is called dumbing down. It also stinks of restriction of free and measured expression.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 10)
Comment number 11.
At 15th Jul 2011, Giselle wrote:Part 2 - Still, with the new blog formats all more or less now converted to the cumbersome and inadequately thought out (from a technological point of view - I'm ex IT) format, I leave the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ site off my visit to the internet from here on.
I suggest, though, that Giles could have had the common decency (and expected professionalism) to have said something more on the blog (we all know which one I'm talking about) to say - sorry I didn't come back with answers to your complaints but you don't count anymore - we only want Twitterers (or whatever they're meant to be called now).
To the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Directors - I don't know how much you paid for the transformation of the old blogs but, take it from me, you paid too much for an inferior product. I also suggest you take a look at what the Guardian does with comments. Far superior, easy to use and, guess what? Has a maximum of 5000! Goodbye for ever!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 11)
Comment number 12.
At 16th Jul 2011, Olga Rikova wrote:Chris, I think the integration of twitter and social media into reporting is essential. As a photographer and journalist myself, it's often a great way to break news and the coverage is tremendous. Whilst I appreciate that many hold the views of Giselle above wrt the use of social media, the public in general have embraced the technology and like it or not, news corporations have to address their needs and provide info in the context required by their readers.
On the point about the blog changes however, I do agree fully with Giselle - the new format is awful for the news reporter blogs. It does not allow for any sort of flow in terms of commentary - which used to be where one could get significant insight based on the opinions of readers and other journalists alike. The new blog format really makes the interaction very one-way in my opinion and is a step backward for ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳.
Olga -
Complain about this comment (Comment number 12)
Comment number 13.
At 16th Jul 2011, U14931382 wrote:All this user's posts have been removed.Why?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 13)
Comment number 14.
At 16th Jul 2011, JunkkMale wrote:'12. At 08:55 16th Jul 2011, Olga Rikova : news corporations have to address their needs and provide info in the context required by their readers.'
If I may suggest... 'as well'. Not instead of, or certainly not to the exclusion of all else.
For a £4Bpa media monopoly to be using 'cuts' as a reason to source news and generate future stories mainly via its twitter groups seems... short-sighted.
Especially while in process of crushing all competition.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 14)
Comment number 15.
At 16th Jul 2011, U14931382 wrote:All this user's posts have been removed.Why?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 15)
Comment number 16.
At 17th Jul 2011, firemensaction wrote:From what I have seen, the bbc seems more keen on restricting comments from the public. It has done exactly the opposite of what it was supposed to do "Enhance the public interaction", and has step by step restricted license payer input so as to (it seems to me), constrict input from the public. (rather the opposite I would say to "interaction" with citizens who actually FUND auntie Beeb).
Try opening the Organisation to freedom of speech ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳. THAT means publishing blogs unedited. After all grown ups can handle more than one point of view at a time!! Also, drop your insistence on being part of the NHS! Viewers are able to do without PC thanks,and can cope with the truth, even though PC control seems ever more essential to ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ management these days.
Censorship not appreciated in 2012...honest!!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 16)
Comment number 17.
At 17th Jul 2011, U14931382 wrote:All this user's posts have been removed.Why?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 17)
Comment number 18.
At 18th Jul 2011, Khrystalar wrote:I have to echo FishFingers at #6; I'm also becoming increasingly concerned with the prominence to which the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ seems to be giving Twitter and Facebook - which are, after all, commercially-funded, profit-making companies. And foreign ones, at that - so not even licence fee payers.
As Mr Fingers says; surely there are rules which strictly govern advertising on the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ - and surely your continued mention of Twitter on what seems like every other damn story, these days, is in violation of those rules...?
If you're going to keep passing them millions of free hits, at least start charging them for it, and get some of our licence fee back!
Either way; would be helpful if the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ management were to comply with their own guidelines, before issuing such to their journalists.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 18)
Comment number 19.
At 18th Jul 2011, ch_bristol wrote:It's an interesting subject.
Chris, what are the most common issues the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ has surrounding its use of social media?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 19)
Comment number 20.
At 20th Jul 2011, signonymous wrote:Sorry - cant find anywhere else to leave this message...
Could someone please improve the visibility and navigation to Democracy Live on the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ website? It's practically invisible and yet it's one of the most important things you do in my opinion. Why hide it away?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 20)
Comment number 21.
At 20th Jul 2011, paulmerhaba wrote:A question about bbc 'live' coverage of events on the news web site, ie yesterdays questioning of the Murdochs.
You are invited to make comments via facebook, twitter and by texting. You may also 'add your comment' which leads to you being asked for your name, location, e-mail and telephone number.
I am not on facebook or twitter, i dislike paying again towards the beeb's coffers by texting, but i do have a bbc 'identity' and seem to be disqualified from commenting unless i enter my details all over again. Any thoughts?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 21)
Comment number 22.
At 20th Jul 2011, cookerid wrote:Had to read this three times before I understood that 'genre' isn't a verb:
"Finally, we remind people that programme or genre content - like @³ÉÈËÂÛ̳Breaking and ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ News on Facebook - should normally be checked by a second person before it goes out."
Maby they could check for clarity as well (what is genre content and how can I buy some?).
Complain about this comment (Comment number 22)
Comment number 23.
At 22nd Jul 2011, JunkkMale wrote:Question:
Given the special added value of interactivity in social media, one notices many ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ blogs do have this facility.
Why then do so many 'shut down' within matters of hours, often with only a few score comments, especially when the topic still seems topical?
For instance, the Nick Robinson political blog often kicks in post 9am and closes pre 5pm.
This rather suggests that the 'service' is only targeted at those who have daytime access, time and/or permission to partcipate.
As this seems restricted to a few hundred folk, how is this properly serving the millions of UK licence fee payers?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 23)
Comment number 24.
At 26th Jul 2011, Green Soap wrote:Who moderates ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Social media, when it's not hosted at a ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ domain?
The ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ surely aren't recklessly allowing inappropriate content to appear on ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ branded third party Social Media sites? That smacks of mismanagement, if it's being allowed to go unmoderated.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 24)
Comment number 25.
At 27th Jul 2011, Fruit Juice wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 25)
Comment number 26.
At 30th Jul 2011, Lim Boon Chuan wrote:I feel that it is good to have a standard social media guidance as far as organizations go. An organization needs to stand together as a united front though hopefully the rules are transparent and are restricted to companies' policies so as not to muzzle the freedom of expression or speech.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 26)
Comment number 27.
At 1st Aug 2011, paulmerhaba wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 27)