New AP Stylebook Wrestles With Social Media

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By: Doug Bedell

The new AP Stylebook, notes the Poynter journalism institute, "has an expanded social media section that's intended to be a How To handbook on using social media to build sources and gather news." Or to negotiate the slippery slopes of SM signups. What's it mean for a journalist to be a "friend"? Check out AP's effort to explain.

"It is acceptable," says the Stylebook, "to extend and accept Facebook friend requests from sources if necessary for reporting purposes. However, Friending and 'liking' political candidates or causes may create a perception among people unfamiliar with the protocol of social networks that AP staffers are advocates. Therefore, staffers should avoid friending and liking unless they have a true reporting reason for it..."

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About the Author

Doug Bedell has a background in journalism and PR and is the proprietor of Resource Relations in Central PA, which focuses on organizational communication, crisis communication, and social media. His blog, “Beetles Beat,” can be found at www.ResourceRelations.com. On Twitter, he’s DougBeetle.

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