Gadgets Blog

Journalism 101, off the record is off the record. You jeopardize your ethics and integrity when you stray from that basic principle and ABC’s “Nightline” co-anchor did just that when he published an off-the-record comment via the most mature medium possible, Twitter… now THAT’S professional.

The snide comment, “Pres. Obama just called Kanye West a ‘jackass’ for his outburst at VMAs when Taylor Swift won. Now THAT’S presidential,” was tweeted (wow, I can’t even type that without shaking my head in comedic dismay) to over a million or so followers. What, as a personal aside? Lame.

ABC has issued an apology but the damage is done, as if they didn’t know this already. Nothing like presidential dirt to juice up a slowing Twitter following. Who knew mobile devices could be used as weapons of mass destruction? Bottom line: as a journalist, excuse me, as a journalist with ethics, Moran should not have published the comment via Twitter or otherwise and should be reprimanded if not sent back to the intern desk.

Speaking of inappropriate behavior, I think we can all agree Kanye’s behavior was inappropriate as well, but measure the public reaction all over the Net via Twitter, MySpace, Facebook and the news in response to the Kanye/Swift fiasco compared to the Wilson/Obama outburst. Where are all the “Sen. Joe Wilson is a douche!” tweets and comments?

Sources: FOXNews, ABC (photo)

Real journalists use Twitter?

As much as I hate to admit it, it seems the typically superficial Twitter must also be recognized as a real and useful journalistic tool that can transcend imposed boundaries and capture the world’s attention despite government attempts to cut off communication from dissenters.

With so much controversy over the Iranian election and its ensuing protests, groups that would have normally been silenced after the main telecommunications provider shut down service were able to circumvent the lock down, and post real time updates with photos and video of police and protester activities.

Used by professionals and man-on-the-street types, Twitter facilitated the documentation of the event as it happened from various sources.  It’s hard to deny beating a peaceful protester into submission when the world has video of it as it happened.

It’s also hard to slant information when the traditional tactic of banning foreign journalists from reporting on the rallies (for concern of the coverage being “biased”), instead favors government-run stations (because that’s not biased…WTH?), when the citizens become the reporters and can broadcast the information in real time.  To be fair, reports said foreign journalists were allowed “talk” about the rallies in their live reports, but not to leave their hotel rooms and offices.  Gee, thanks.

Anyway, Twitter has given a voice to the masses and now the rest of the world can choose to listen… or not to listen.

Yay for technology and the ability to get both sides of a story.

Sources: CNN, Computerworld