Reuters publishes social media rules for journalists

The rise of social media has brought journalists some powerful new storytelling and information-gathering tools, but these new opportunities have brought new risks, said Dean Wright, global editor, ethics, innovation and news standards, pictured.

“At Reuters, we have just published some social media guidelines that lay out some basic principles and offer recommendations that should prove useful as journalists navigate what can sometimes seem a chaotic landscape.”

The new guidelines for using Facebook, Twitter and other social media networks embrace these basic principles:

• Journalists are encouraged to use social media approaches.
• Accuracy, freedom from bias and independence are fundamental to Reuters’ reputation. These values and the Trust Principles apply to journalism produced using social media just as they have to all other journalism produced by Reuters.
• Reuters is distinguished by the trust invested in its journalists to rise above personal bias in their work and to apply common sense in dealing with the challenges offered by social media.

Wright said some news organisations have been more proscriptive with their rules or guidelines for journalists using social media – “and it’s tempting to provide the rule-hungry with specific latitudes and longitudes of what’s acceptable. But I think that approach sells short the ability of journalists to use their brains and to see – and report on – a world that’s changing every day.

“That’s why I think of the Reuters Handbook of Journalism as a living document, one that helps us navigate that changing world with an eye on the future while being grounded in the ethical behaviour and high standards that have brought us so far.”

The new guidelines state, inter alia:

“We want to encourage you to use social media approaches in your journalism but we also need to make sure that you are fully aware of the risks – especially those that threaten our hard-earned reputation for independence and freedom from bias or our brand.”

The recommendations offer general guidance with more detailed suggestions for managing journalists’ presence on the most popular social networks. Journalists are encouraged to think about the following principles whenever using social media.

• “Accuracy, freedom from bias and integrity are fundamental to the reputation of Reuters and your ability to do your job effectively. The advent of social media changes none of this and you should do nothing that would damage our reputation for impartiality and independence. We reserve the right to change your beat or responsibilities if there are problems in this area. In the case of serious breaches, we may use our established disciplinary procedures.
• “The advent of social media does not change your relationship with the company that employs you – do not use social media to embarrass or disparage Thomson Reuters. Our company’s brands are important; so, too, is your personal brand. Think carefully about how what you do reflects upon you as a professional and upon us as an employer of professionals.
• “The distinction between the private and the professional has largely broken down online and you should assume that your professional and personal social media activity will be treated as one no matter how hard you try to keep them separate. You should also be aware that even if you make use of privacy settings, anything you post on a social media site may be made public.
• “While it is not practical to always apply the 'second pair of eyes rule' for journalists using social media, especially Twitter, in a professional capacity, you should consider that a 'virtual second pair of eyes rule' applies under which your manager and/or senior editors will retrospectively review your professional output.
• “Remember, too, that your sources, colleagues, peers, competitors and even future employers also can and will look at your output.”

The guidelines add: “We’re in a competitive business and while the spirit of social media is collaborative we need to take care not to undermine the commercial basis of our company.”

Reuters Handbook for Journalists ■