Promote online coverage with facts, without hype
When promoting, leave the rah-rah to the cheerleaderd. Supply the facts.
Guideline: Staffs should have clear guidelines for the tone of information published in social media. Although tweets are often used to promote people or events, that’s not the job of news media — student-run or otherwise. Remember to be a journalist all the time and provide facts, not opinion and hype.
Social media post/question:Social media doesn’t have to turn your publication into a cheerleader. Stick to news and information.
Stance: Whether you’re producing a print publication, a news website, a broadcast or a tweet, you’re in the news business and the story isn’t about you. Leave the rah-rah to the cheerleaders and supply the facts.
Reasoning/suggestions: Sometimes it’s a fine line, but think of it this way: You can notify your audience about an upcoming game, even tell them its significance and what to expect, but when you include something like, “So get out there and support our Fighting Eagles!” then you have gone over the line from news to promotion.
And that’s not a good thing.
Resources:
Developing standards for social media use in your student media JEA SPRC
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