I am all about breaking new ground with social media and finding new ways to embrace the concept. I’ve been known to sing it from the mountain tops, particularly when it comes to traditional news media.
I feel that news organizations need to find new ways to reach their readers/viewers/users and prove their worth in the space. Many are doing it and that excites me. I am cheering them on and watching everyone I can. I’m proud to be part of an organization that’s doing it and leading the charge.
That said, I was a bit miffed when I read about a news organization twittering the funeral of a 3-year-old.
Twitter a hurricane? YES.
Twitter a court case? YES! Ron Sylvester of The Witchita Eagle and Kansas.com does a heck of job with that.
But a funeral of a 3-year-old who was killed at an ice cream store?
Seems a bit insensitive to me. Others clearly agree.
Michael Roberts: “After all, Twittering a child’s funeral is a mission more doomed than Jimmy Carter’s attempt to rescue those hostages from Iran back in the day. The results are self-satirizing in the most morbid, inappropriate way possible.”
Cara Degette: “Whatever their rationale, it’s unconceivable. Utterly, and unforgivingly, unconceivable.”
On this one, I would have to agree. What are your thoughts?
You can view all updates here, on the Rocky Mountain News’ website.
5 comments
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September 11, 2008 at 3:34 pm
samina
Lots of articles floating around the web on twitterquette but if you were to create twitter rules on social politeness what would they be?
Have a look at the comments in: http://scobleizer.com/2007/09/23/the-10-rules-of-twitter-and-how-i-break-every-one/
One person commented:
“I never got the memo on the “rules”. I’ll do what the hell I like on Twitter and if you don’t like it, don’t follow me.”
September 11, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Joede
When I first joined Twitter, I was confused by the “Getting on train” tweets. Now, I see it as a way of life. I want to know the train, where you are going and what are you trying to accomplish! When I tweeted my son’s football game, I thought it was a touch overboard but it was a joy to share in the excitement!
A child’s funeral? What was the purpose? The benefit? The only reason I can think of is attention. Unfortunately, we are giving this “reporter” more attention and that’s probably why he did it in the first place.
September 11, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Angela Connor
@samina: Good point, and you’re right…the rules are what you make them. I think there is a difference though when you’re talking about an individual, vs. a news organization. News organizations will have to adopt their own policies, and I think this proves that.
September 11, 2008 at 10:54 pm
Does Netiquette even exist on the internet? « techtotty
[...] September 11, 2008 by samina Today in my world of Twitter communitygirl wrote a blog post titled ‘Not everything is meant to be ‘twittered” about a news organisation twittering on the funeral of the death of a three year old. I had a look [...]
September 18, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Twitter funerals no more « Online Community Strategist
[...] MAJOR HEAT from bloggers and other news organizations, for twittering the funeral of a 3-year-old (myself included) the Rocky Mountain News has decided to cease and desist. Editors had apparently planned to have a [...]