The risk of using Twitter as a news source (27)

Falling for the joke: the risk of using Twitter as a news source

The BBC was left red-faced after quoting a parody account in its Zimbabwe coverage, exposing the danger of journalists relying on social media.The Zanu-PF parody account that has been making the news this week claims to be the “only official handle” of Zimbabwe’s ruling party. Twitter’s terms and conditions say parodies should label themselves as such, which it does not. This illustrates the complexities of using social media as a reporting resource. This can be especially true in fast-moving news .

• This incident is arguably a result of news organisations that may have few reporters directly on the ground.
• It seems more important than ever for journalists not to take social media postings at face value.
• Twitter recently suspended its programme of awarding blue verified checkmarks to specific accounts after it verified Jason Kessler, organiser of the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville where Heather Heyer was killed. The company stated that “verification was meant to authenticate identity & voice but it is interpreted as an endorsement or an indicator of importance. We recognise that we have created this confusion and need to resolve it.”