Social networking ethics may seem like an oxymoron, but the concept is becoming increasingly important as journalists join the masses using sites like Facebook and Twitter.
Poytner’s Will Sullivan recently posted about The Wall Street Journal‘s new social media policy for staffers in “News Organizations Implement New Social Media Ethics Policies.” The policies outline steps reporters should complete before “friending” or “following” potential sources. They also addressed discussing newspaper content and explaining how news was gathered.
Proponents think social network policies protect news organizations’ credibility by maintaining boundaries between journalists and (potential) sources. Opponents view the policies as a missed opportunity to promote content and create collaboration between the media and the public.
As the popularity of social networking continues growing and the sites are increasingly used for marketing and promotions, we are likely to see more company regulation of how these tools are used.
What do you think about potential employer restrictions regarding your networking?
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