Twitter is seen by many as the next big advance in public relations and marketing - it allows you to direct a message at specific individuals, carry out conversations from miles away, provide links designed to sell products or offer information, and retweet interesting websites or thoughts those you are following post.
Yet with the recent advent of social media as a whole, and specifically Twitter in 2006, the jury is still out on the ethics of such social networking and sharing sites.
For instance, was the tweeting by Hartford Courant football writer Desmond Conner (@desmondconner) at the funeral services of slain player Jasper Howard in October ethical? And on a smaller scale, what about the tweeting via text message by Marquette student and Tribune editor Sarah Milnar (@smilnar) during a memorial service for freshman Andrew Siebenaler, who died Saturday night in McCormick Hall?
These journalists were attempting to share updates not all would be aware of, but could be entitled to. And if if were not these seasoned writers posting, couldn't another person just as easily disseminate the updates via their own Twitter accounts. Personally, I would rather learn that Howard's mother was being strong and comforting his former teammates from a trusted journalist than from Joe Schmo's Twitter post - it adds a sense of legitimacy to the update.
In my opinion, Twitter is a great way of dispersing the news to a very specific group of followers, who follow the account by choice. While I believe neither Conner or Milnar were unethical in their Twitter activity during these services, it is important discover and maintain where a line might lie. Arguably, the funeral of Howard was viewable on streaming video online, and the memorial service was open to all in the Marquette community.
If using social media to share updates at these events is acceptable, when would it not be? The online journalism community needs to establish an updated code of ethics, much like those created and held by PRSA and SPJ, to take into account the advanced in technology and sites like Twitter.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Saturday, October 3, 2009
My Twitter Experience
Over 500 tweets in, I have had a love/hate relationship with Twitter since spring 2009. Originally, I created an account thanks to encouragement by a friend (@mandibaronas) but grew frustrated - it simply didn't seem to have a purpose to follow people I don't know or care about.
I started my internship at a local full-service agency in June, and from the day I stepped in, it was quite clear that social media, especially Twitter, presented great opportunities in the communications world. For my own use as a public relations student, I find it fascinating to connect with people I never would have, had it not been for the site. For instance, I can follow CEOs of major companies to see their innovation in social media (@zappos is one of my favorites), professors from Marquette and other schools to get their insights on the field, athletes and celebrities to get a glimpse into their everyday lives, and people that I do know through my daily life.
The most difficult thing for me to grasp when I first started using Twitter was the difference between this site and Facebook. Many in Twitterville poke jokes at Facebook, asking why we would care that Jenny is taking a nap, or Chris just found his lost sneakers. In my own opinion, I compare and contrast the two like this: Facebook is saying what you ate for dinner. Twitter is sharing the recipe.
The community sense of Twitter is overwhelming, as I have found in my first year using the site, and people truly enjoy sharing and retweeting (RT) interesting articles, links and thoughts. One of the biggest challenges - yet in my opinion is one of Twitter's biggest strengths - is the 140 character limit: this forces you to be succinct, clear and concise while still sharing a message.
This assignment to tweet twice daily for two weeks, including responses to classmates and retweets of insightful thoughts, was not a challenge for me since I tweet multiple times a day, but gave me a greater understanding of the universe run by Bluebird, and devastated by the fail whale.
I started my internship at a local full-service agency in June, and from the day I stepped in, it was quite clear that social media, especially Twitter, presented great opportunities in the communications world. For my own use as a public relations student, I find it fascinating to connect with people I never would have, had it not been for the site. For instance, I can follow CEOs of major companies to see their innovation in social media (@zappos is one of my favorites), professors from Marquette and other schools to get their insights on the field, athletes and celebrities to get a glimpse into their everyday lives, and people that I do know through my daily life.
The most difficult thing for me to grasp when I first started using Twitter was the difference between this site and Facebook. Many in Twitterville poke jokes at Facebook, asking why we would care that Jenny is taking a nap, or Chris just found his lost sneakers. In my own opinion, I compare and contrast the two like this: Facebook is saying what you ate for dinner. Twitter is sharing the recipe.
The community sense of Twitter is overwhelming, as I have found in my first year using the site, and people truly enjoy sharing and retweeting (RT) interesting articles, links and thoughts. One of the biggest challenges - yet in my opinion is one of Twitter's biggest strengths - is the 140 character limit: this forces you to be succinct, clear and concise while still sharing a message.
This assignment to tweet twice daily for two weeks, including responses to classmates and retweets of insightful thoughts, was not a challenge for me since I tweet multiple times a day, but gave me a greater understanding of the universe run by Bluebird, and devastated by the fail whale.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
What Writing Means to Me
Writing is my preferred method of communication and represents everything I'm about - planning, thoughtful choice, premediation, caution. I grew up wanting to be a journalist, and after my first semester at Marquette, changed to public relations. But writing will always be my primary focus - I struggle with public speaking, and even the simple act of communicating verbally at times. Writing lets you plan your words carefully, ensure that they convery the appropriate emotions and suggestions, and voice your opinion or message in a way that helps people understand. Any day, I would rather craft an email or document than speak with someone verbally - which might also lend itself to the power of social media - most social media focuses around the written (typed) word rather than auditory sound.
About Me!
What’s your full name? Shannon Walsh
Were you named after anyone? My middle name is in memory of my mom's friend
Do you have a nickname? If yes, what is it? No nickname
What’s your astrological sign? Leo
Are you a morning person or a night owl? I used to be a night owl, but thanks to a summer internship, I'm now an early bird.
Do you wish on stars? Shooting one.
Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? Never
Do you have tattoos ? None
What do you do most often when you are bored? Eat or sleep
Donkey or Elephant or Neither? Donkey
What makes you angry? People that do not plan, or stick to plans.
What did you do last night? Had a night class and read for media law
What frightens you? Spiders, bugs, death
How many keys are on your key ring? 4, plus a Pick N Save card and an MU soccer schedule
What do you do to relax? Sleep or watch tv
Do you believe in superstitions? Yes
Have you attended a church or religious event outside of your own? Last semester for theology, we went to a synagogue
Name a foreign language that you know. Spanish (not fluent)
Name three things most people don’t know about you:
1) I am obsessed with dimples.
2) I use my planner as a crutch, and would be lost without it.
3) I wanted to be a journalist growing up.
Family, Pets, & Friends
Do you have any siblings? An older brother, Shawn
Who is your best friend in high school? I had a core group of five
Do/did you have any pets? Used to have gerbils, but never have had the best luck with pets...just ask my brother.
Cat person or dog person? Little dogs only, big dogs scare me.
Who is the last person you talked to on the phone? My dad
Travel
What states have you been to? 26 -- Colorado, Connecticut, DC, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin
What countries have you been to? US and Canada
In how many states have you lived? 2 -- Connecticut (grew up there) & Wisconsin (for college)
When is the last time you took a train? To Chicago last summer
Food
What do you like to eat for breakfast? Multi-grain Cheerios, or a Panera Cinnamon Crunch bagel
What is your favorite food? There's no way I can pick just one. But I love mozz. cheese, pickles, bagels, salsa and cream cheese rollups, and Hot Pockets. And berry Juicy Juice, despite the fact that I'm 20.
What foods do you dislike? Peanut butter, nuts, most vegetables, hummus, fish.
What ethnic food do you like and dislike? Love Chinese food, dislike sushi.
What is your favorite chip flavor? Baked Lays.
What is your favorite sandwich? Chicken Cesear or turkey.
What is your favorite drink? Dr. Pepper for soda, but mostly just water with Propel packets.
What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Ben and Jerry's Chocolate Fudge Brownie
What’s your favorite salad dressing? Ranch
Plain, buttered or salted popcorn? Cheese popcorn
What’s your favorite pie? Strawberry or apple
What’s your favorite fast food place? Panera
Media
Which Harry Potter characters are you? None.
What was the last film you saw at the cinema? 500 Days of Summer -- amazing movie!
What is your favorite TV show? Gilmore Girls, The Hills, The City...how can I pick?
Last book you read: Three Weeks with My Brother (Nicholas Sparks) for the 586209th time
What picture is on your computer wallpaper? New Orleans
What is your ring tone? Rock & Roll, Eric Hutchinson
What are three favorite songs on your iPod? Walking in Memphis, anything by Billy Joel, Taylor Swift, or Billy Currington among others
Do you have a Facebook page? Yes
Do you have a Twitter account? Yes - @shannonvwalsh
Do you have a blog? Only for this class
Wishes
Where would you retire to? North Carolina
If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Ireland
Would you ever bungee jump? Skydive? Yes and yes. As cautious and planned as I am, I can be spontaneous.
If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Green.
Were you named after anyone? My middle name is in memory of my mom's friend
Do you have a nickname? If yes, what is it? No nickname
What’s your astrological sign? Leo
Are you a morning person or a night owl? I used to be a night owl, but thanks to a summer internship, I'm now an early bird.
Do you wish on stars? Shooting one.
Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? Never
Do you have tattoos ? None
What do you do most often when you are bored? Eat or sleep
Donkey or Elephant or Neither? Donkey
What makes you angry? People that do not plan, or stick to plans.
What did you do last night? Had a night class and read for media law
What frightens you? Spiders, bugs, death
How many keys are on your key ring? 4, plus a Pick N Save card and an MU soccer schedule
What do you do to relax? Sleep or watch tv
Do you believe in superstitions? Yes
Have you attended a church or religious event outside of your own? Last semester for theology, we went to a synagogue
Name a foreign language that you know. Spanish (not fluent)
Name three things most people don’t know about you:
1) I am obsessed with dimples.
2) I use my planner as a crutch, and would be lost without it.
3) I wanted to be a journalist growing up.
Family, Pets, & Friends
Do you have any siblings? An older brother, Shawn
Who is your best friend in high school? I had a core group of five
Do/did you have any pets? Used to have gerbils, but never have had the best luck with pets...just ask my brother.
Cat person or dog person? Little dogs only, big dogs scare me.
Who is the last person you talked to on the phone? My dad
Travel
What states have you been to? 26 -- Colorado, Connecticut, DC, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin
What countries have you been to? US and Canada
In how many states have you lived? 2 -- Connecticut (grew up there) & Wisconsin (for college)
When is the last time you took a train? To Chicago last summer
Food
What do you like to eat for breakfast? Multi-grain Cheerios, or a Panera Cinnamon Crunch bagel
What is your favorite food? There's no way I can pick just one. But I love mozz. cheese, pickles, bagels, salsa and cream cheese rollups, and Hot Pockets. And berry Juicy Juice, despite the fact that I'm 20.
What foods do you dislike? Peanut butter, nuts, most vegetables, hummus, fish.
What ethnic food do you like and dislike? Love Chinese food, dislike sushi.
What is your favorite chip flavor? Baked Lays.
What is your favorite sandwich? Chicken Cesear or turkey.
What is your favorite drink? Dr. Pepper for soda, but mostly just water with Propel packets.
What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Ben and Jerry's Chocolate Fudge Brownie
What’s your favorite salad dressing? Ranch
Plain, buttered or salted popcorn? Cheese popcorn
What’s your favorite pie? Strawberry or apple
What’s your favorite fast food place? Panera
Media
Which Harry Potter characters are you? None.
What was the last film you saw at the cinema? 500 Days of Summer -- amazing movie!
What is your favorite TV show? Gilmore Girls, The Hills, The City...how can I pick?
Last book you read: Three Weeks with My Brother (Nicholas Sparks) for the 586209th time
What picture is on your computer wallpaper? New Orleans
What is your ring tone? Rock & Roll, Eric Hutchinson
What are three favorite songs on your iPod? Walking in Memphis, anything by Billy Joel, Taylor Swift, or Billy Currington among others
Do you have a Facebook page? Yes
Do you have a Twitter account? Yes - @shannonvwalsh
Do you have a blog? Only for this class
Wishes
Where would you retire to? North Carolina
If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Ireland
Would you ever bungee jump? Skydive? Yes and yes. As cautious and planned as I am, I can be spontaneous.
If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Green.
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