Here’s why I didn’t share your story and I’m really sorry
If you’re a journalist on Facebook, and you have friends and family and followers who are not journalists on Facebook, since about 2016 you probably have taken on a new role.
Facebook whisperer.
“Hey cuz, did you see this story from NaturalNews.com? Wth? Is it true?”
“A shark swimming in someone’s front yard?? That can’t be real. (Is it?)”
“Check out this ad about Hillary Clinton!! If this is true I’m not voting for her!! (Right??)”
Nights and weekends particularly during election season, I’ve jumped into Facebook Messenger to answer questions; then I move onto the news feed to extinguish rumors and faithfully fight fake news. I try to explain to my friends and family not only why these stories aren’t true but how we, as journalists, determine they’re not true.
“Privately, I’ve been keeping a list of reasons that I didn’t share certain stories with subscribers.”
My friends and family, probably like yours, are smart people. They’re doctors, lawyers, teachers, business owners, veterinarians, politicians, government workers, awesome parents and grandparents. Journalists simply have the advantage of training, practice and mission. Studying misinformation issues is a major part of my role as accountability journalism director at the American Press Institute — where (joking not joking) I like to say we’re trying to save journalism.
When I launched “News from a Friend” several months ago, I decided it would be a newsletter designed not for journalists but for other smart people who want to read good journalism even as it’s become harder for them to uncover it in their social feeds. I’ve promised to share only the best of the week: High-quality stories that demonstrate transparency, accountability, accuracy, diversity and a focus on readers. When I fail to deliver on that promise, I hear about it.
I’m not hawking yet another newsletter here. It’s an off-hours endeavor, a labor of love. It awards me nothing except a reason to get up even earlier in the morning. But I’ve gained something invaluable: An insight into how people see journalists and journalism; and how we all might do better, all the time.
Every day I find incredibly crafted stories that make me proud to be a journalist. But I’ve also learned a lot about the inconsistency of transparency and other qualities in professional journalism.
In the newsletter, I explain why I’ve chosen the stories, journalists and news organizations that appear there. Privately, I’ve been keeping a list of reasons that I didn’t share certain stories with subscribers.
And that’s what I’d like to share with journalists here, in the nicest possible way (a listicle!) with the sincerest possible motive: Saving journalism.
Top 10 Reasons I Couldn’t Share Your Story and I’m Really Sorry
1. You didn’t name sources in your story and you didn’t explain why.
More than one reader has been puzzled by the term “anonymous source” and even wondered if the source was deemed “anonymous” because the reporter didn’t know who the source was. Think about it: This is not an unreasonable assumption. And it invites suspicion. This is a particularly bad time in history to look suspicious.
2. The story was written by…anonymous?
People do notice bylines. And when there is no byline, people can assume (a) someone was too embarrassed to put their byline on the story; (b) the story was so bad the editor removed the byline; (c) the story was secretly written by a bot or a Russian; (d) other things people assume when a lack of information leaves them to their own imaginations.
3. The story was promoted by a reporter’s tweet that was clickbait-y and a bit dishonest.
Good tweets that attract readers while maintaining journalistic honesty are truly difficult to write. If you have a social media reporter or team, ask for help. If you don’t have a social media reporter or team, ask why not.
4. The story’s topic was incredibly important but written in the dense, grandiloquent way of someone who believes people will read this story because it’s good for them.
People actually do not eat liver and asparagus when they don’t want to eat liver and asparagus. And they’re not going to suffer through a story that’s “good for them” either. Journalists have found more appetizing ways to present complex stories. Here are some ideas.
“Every day I find incredibly crafted stories that make me proud to be a journalist. But I’ve also learned a lot about the inconsistency of transparency and other qualities in professional journalism.”
5. The site had autoplay videos and ads that popped up, dropped down and flew sideways, obliterating the actual story.
This is so unfair to good journalists and journalism. Research indicates that bad ads and site functionality can cause people to lose trust in digital publications. Publishers and advertisers, let’s talk. To each other.
6. The story included a link to the reporter’s Twitter page, where you will find a pinned tweet of a smiley selfie she took with the prominent businessman she interviewed, praising one of the businessman’s products.
I know, I know, I had to blink and stare at this one a few times. Social media teams in newsrooms: Help out your fellow journalist before they get into trouble. Newsroom managers: Post your ethics policy. And know what your staffer is doing on Twitter; it’s the only way some people know your brand.
7. Your byline linked to your bio, which was blank or said something about your vinyl collection and coffee addiction.
Help a girl out. I’m trying to show how credible and professional you are but your bio doesn’t mention your solid journalism experience or your awards or link to your impressive body of work — only that you are a cat person living in a dog person’s world.
8. You offered no links to anyone’s work except your own, or maybe none at all.
No journalist is the ultimate source. We know there are people who believe journalists are arrogant and elitist, so it helps to be aware of small indicators that might wrongly prove them right.
9. You used cliches and words that no one says in real life like “indeed” and “poised” and “blaze” and “probe,” and weasel words like “reportedly” and “could not immediately be reached for comment.”
Editors shoulder some of the blame here. (And they should not use cliches like “shoulder the blame.”)
10. The very first word in your chart was misspelled online. All day. And all the next day too. And no one could tell you because you don’t give out your contact info.
I waited as long as I could for a correction to appear. And I couldn’t email you because you apparently want to be left alone. I gave up. I’m really sorry.
What have I missed? What would stop you from sharing a story? Let me know and we’ll add it to the listicle.
Jane Elizabeth, a former editor at The Washington Post and several other fine news organizations, is director of accountability journalism at the American Press Institute and editor of the weekly News from a Friend. @janeeliz
