Facebook + Journalism

I recently put someone's underoos in a big bunch. I contacted this person via Facebook for a story and used a two word quote from this person's response email. And we showed this person's Facebook profile picture when we referenced the quote. 

People. Nothing you put on the Internet has any expectation of privacy. It's not a rule that I made up. It's just the basic truth in these gol' dang modern times, Bessie. That includes your Facebook photos, your tweets, your MySpace updates. Check your privacy settings and have them adjusted accordingly. But don't put your hopes and dreams into a false sense of security that you're protected because you "must approve friend requests."

The fact is, once it's out there, it's out there. And determined diggers will find it. No matter how many privacy locks you use. Because there will be a friend of a friend of a friend or some back door, you know we love the back door, and bam, we're in.

I once heard a good rule of thumb about posting to the Internet from the woman who writes dooce. She said something to the effect of: imagine the person you would least want reading your writing, reading your writing. Whether that's your boss, your mother, your friendly local TV journalist.

But here's the deal. I know how to be human, polite, and reasonable. And I strive to be that way whenever possible. Not every reporter does. And not every situation warrants a polite, reasonable human. But in this case, and in the context of my story, what we did was ultra benign. Nowhere near worthy of panty bunching. We identified ourselves clearly as journalists. We were not asked to keep any quotes off the record. We were not anywhere close to reporting something controversial. We were humanizing a sad story and providing one tiny modicum of personalization.

And you, angry person, you graduated from an elite university. You're clearly under 50 years old. You should know some of the rules of social media. And you should ease up on the hysterics. And don't tell me you're sure of the rules of journalism. Because if you were, you would not be freaking out and threatening to call my supervisor.

I digress. 

I thought this mashable.com piece had some great tips about ethics and the fact that it's progressive to acknowledge that journalists are people, not 'blank slates' with no feelings or opinions. I think it's better to admit you are human and you have thoughts, but you also understand how to be fair and you look for balance when you tell a story.

Thoughts? Please post your comment. I know I live in a skewed reality world. Would you be shocked if a journalist reported something you told them in an email? Would you freak if you saw your Facebook photo on the news? Or read your tweet in the paper? People. I need to know.

Comments

[NFGmother]

Anything I say to a journalist... socially, formally, out loud, in writing, whispered over the sink in the public bathroom while checking my lipstick... it's all public, fodder for whatever anyone wants to do with it. I make my living using these rules. I don't think folks who aren't in our business see it as clearly. How would I feel if you used my quotes and pic from FB? Mortified, probably:). My FB pic is pretty goofy. Beyond that, if I don't want it quoted and written elsewhere, don't write it in the first place. It's the new world order, kiddio, and while you are right in your conclusions, it's going to take a little while longer for the general public to catch up and realize that the web is not a good place to hide or to seek privacy. You can't have it both ways... you can't vent, rant, opine, pontificate on the web for your personal satisfaction and then be all nicker-wadded when someone uses your words. I have spoken:).

[Vicky Nguyen]

You're right, right and right. I use kid gloves so much of the time and that's warranted when it comes to the gen pop. But I do think it's a good reminder to folks to be aware of the new rules of the Wild West Internets.

[Scott]

I wouldnt put someone's photo in the story. That person might think they are just giving you a quote.

[Dusti]

Considering there are some people out there that I really don't want knowing too much about my life i try to keep my privacy settings high and my phone numbers unlisted. Well low and behold i googled myself the other day to see what kind of damage control I might need to do and, yep, there is my full address, mortgage company, how much I bought my house for, and when I bought my house. So I contacted this site to ask that they take my name down and they said anyone can go to the town hall and get the same info. Okay so let them track me down that way rather then 2 clicks of a mouse! Grrrrrr... and the obnoxious thing was that I went back to the site to search for other friends and family who owned homes and NO ONE else was listed. I hate the internet sometimes!

oh you can quote me if you'd like, just let me know if you need a pic so I can make sure its a good one LOL :-)