How to use Twitter by @ByRosenberg for #360NN, a thread:
The concept of "retweets do not equal endorsements" is flawed - when you retweet something, you give it a sense of truth. You associate yourself with it. So pick your battles!!
Twitter can be the best source for breaking news because everything happens so quickly. But this means we get it wrong a lot. Rosenberg's advice is if you wouldn't put the info in a story, don't tweet it.
Let's say you make an error! To delete or not to delete? Transparency or truth? Step 1 is to acknowledge your mistake and redirect readers to more accurate info.
Good- using Twitter to find sources.
Not good- using Twitter to DM people for information in an active shooter situation.
Boundaries!
If you're being harassed, don't be afraid to block people. But most trolls want to attention, so it's best to ignore them and let them scream in to the void!
Twitter gotcha down? Rosenberg says to follow accounts that "make you laugh, make you smile." Here are some of my favorites: @dril @theonion @existentialcoms @csydelko @dog_rates @hostile_goose
Also- be a real person! People know when a reporter is just there to promote their stories. Have fun with it and engage readers!
That being said, Twitter is good for making meaningful connections. Trust and accountability are essential to good journalism- you should always be accessible to your community. Let people get to know you and your intentions.
Just as you would for stories, make sure your tweets have pictures, gifs, videos, polls, or other media for added visual interest!
Overall, add value, be transparent, and use Twitter to find and spread Truth. Thank you to @ByRosenberg for speaking to our class! (end of thread) #360NN
