Newswise — The New York Times has been the first major Newspaper to address some thorny ethical issues that arise over staff's use of popular social and new media websites like Facebook! and Twitter, reports EConsultancy.com and the Poynter Institute.
The policy includes guidelines on a variety of potential issues, including:
* Don't specify your political views * Don't write anything you wouldn't write in The Times * Be careful who you 'friend' * Standard rules apply when using social networking site to find sources * The Standards Editor must be consulted before contact is made with a minor
The guiding ethos of The Times' New Media Policy is to ensure their staff maintains good judgment. Reporters are instructed to avoid anything that would cast doubt on their journalistic impartiality, including joining controversial online groups or stating a political viewpoint on their profile.
In one example of this new policy in action, staff are required to treat sources contacted through sites like Facebook the same way they would a telephone contact. The need to state such a policy suggests that reporters are already using the New Media to find sources, and The Times is anticipating that it will continue.
This tricky new area may be one where staffers and Standards Editors have an evolving conversation in the years ahead. The fact that a major newspaper like The New York Times has addressed this issue indicates the continuing influence of the New Media on the so-called "Old Media".
RSS