Opinion: Twittering at funerals may be linked to tech craze
Posted by Alisa Zykova on September 15, 2008 at 10:27 AM
"I think the glitz of technology has taken over common sense," says Michelle Ferrier, Daytona Beach News-Journal's columnist and managing editor, in relation to the Twitter reporting done by Rocky Mountain News (RMN) Berny Morson at the funeral of a three-year-old boy killed in an accident. She goes on to say that live reporting from funerals of private individuals shouldn't be allowed.
Temple mentions that audience may be interested in knowing details
about the funeral and suggests that more frequent news updates, such as
on TV and radio, may be valued. However, he says that "poorly done"
reporting may not be suitable.
"Think of such live reporting as someone whispering into a phone directly to a global audience. There is no room for editors. What the reporter writes is what you read almost instantly. That requires special skill. It takes practice," says RMN's John Temple.
Furthermore, he points out that to classify such reporting as wrong may be making "too sweeping a judgment," bringing up examples like broadcast coverage of tragedies like the Columbine High School shootings or funeral services for prominent public figures.
Source: Rocky Mountain News through Poynter Romenesko
See Also:
US: Journalists are utilising Twitter this election season
Interview: Twitsms exploits gap in the market after Twitter axe SMS
US: Twittering at funerals, is it right?
"Think of such live reporting as someone whispering into a phone directly to a global audience. There is no room for editors. What the reporter writes is what you read almost instantly. That requires special skill. It takes practice," says RMN's John Temple.
Furthermore, he points out that to classify such reporting as wrong may be making "too sweeping a judgment," bringing up examples like broadcast coverage of tragedies like the Columbine High School shootings or funeral services for prominent public figures.
Source: Rocky Mountain News through Poynter Romenesko
See Also:
US: Journalists are utilising Twitter this election season
Interview: Twitsms exploits gap in the market after Twitter axe SMS
US: Twittering at funerals, is it right?
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