- Jim Fredricks (Time) kicked off the panel by discussing how social media networks have been "disruptive" to the traditional ways reporters gather news. The challenge of gathering information has been further compounded by the development of social media. Panelist Andy Carvin noted that many view his technique of using social media to cultivate as overwhelming. Carvin quotes author Clay Shirky, saying "there is no information overload, only filter failure." Carvin explains that he uses multiple filters and techniques to find the right sources in different communities and engages them when the time is right. For example, he searches for expletives when natural disasters hit because "people say what they think on the web when something catches them by surprise."
The technical side of managing the barrage of information is key, @acarvin says -- @TweetDeck/@hootsuite, lists, etc. #nextnews #sxsw- The panelists agreed that social media offers unprecedented communication between potential sources and journalists. During crises, this access is critical to finding and confirming information especially when reporting from the other side of the world. Social media has the power to make reporters at listening to their audiences given the diversity and volume of voices. Twitter "is another tool," says @CNN's Meredith Artley, "isn't supposed to make us better repeaters, it is supposed to make us better listeners."
Enjoying a conversation on global news between @Jim_Frederick @acarvin @MeredithA & @AymanM. #nextnews #sxswi pic.twitter.com/y34427O5Js/y34427O5Js- However, the panelists caution that social media, in no way circumvents traditional journalism values. While Twitter helps develop sources, all information still must be verified. Case in point, the sheer amount of misinformation proliferated during Hurricane Sandy. The challenge is how to confirm this information during a crisis. For example, non-journalists utilize terms like "breaking" and "confirmed" without holding the same information standards as journalists. Ultimately, NBC's Ayman Mohyeldin put the onus on the "end user" on trusting different social media sources or not. Both journalists and regular citizens must decide who they trust on social media or not.
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Global News After the Twitter Revolutions
The Arab Spring has changed how news organizations use sources, from using crowdsourcing or social media. This expert panel discusses how the Arab Spring changed reporting for them and look to the future of journalism. Includes an interview with NPR's Andy Carvin.
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