REPORTERS ON TWITTER

Abstract

This study examines newspaper reporters’ Twitter use within Kovach and Rosenstiel’s “next journalism” framework, which calls for a shift away from journalism as product toward more of a service for citizens. Drawing from their “essential dimensions” for journalism, it analyzes more than 2700 tweets from reporters at 51 US newspapers. Findings show the reporters engaging in a journalism of service, while also adhering to conventions of product and “lecture by professional authorities.” Evidence for service includes live tweeting news events and retweeting citizen voices. Journalism as product is supported by a significant number of reporters’ links to their own newsroom content, and by their heavy reliance on official sources, despite the networked audience afforded by Twitter.