Social media, journalism and communication

Friday 10 September saw Canterbury Christ Church University host the Social Media, Journalism and Communication Practitioners International Symposium. The day’s schedule brought together journalists, social media experts and academics to share ideas and presentations on the changing face of media.

James Rodgers from City University spoke about the effect technology is having on journalists, emphasising the lack of time there is available for reflection before reporting. Discussing a ‘two streams’ concept, the former BBC foreign correspondent explored how instant reporting is dominating considered reporting; there is a worrying trend among journalists to sacrifice quality for the sake of meeting the demands of digital media.

Piet Bakker from Hogeschool Utrecht presented his investigation of hyperlocal media. Having created a contributing profile on a hyperlocal news site, Piet has an insider’s knowledge of the workings and failings of this medium. His issues with hyperlocal websites can be seen on bigger news outlets and in digital media as a whole: the lack of quality in reportage, anonymous and abusive comment systems, and dubious sub editing.

Other highlights from the day included London Metropolitan university’s Wendy Sloane discussing Twitter and journalism with her attempts to encourage students to tweet sometimes providing unexpected results; Bournemouth University’s Ana Adi and Kevin Moloney reporting on a rare example of the Occupy movement; and Nina Mollerup’s presentation on the importance of social media to journalists during the recent Egyptian revolution.  

All that, and a keynote from our very own Paul Miller linking reporting, big data and Bruce Willis. Yippee ki yay!