Ethics in social networking

Issues with specific social networks
Linking or bookmarking networks. Sites such as Digg, Delicious and Reddit are valuable for showcasing your own stories and blogs or for linking to valuable resources related to your beat or for other stories or resources that can add depth to your own stories. However, consider whether you have responsibility for material that you highlight through these sites. If you highlight partisan sites or commentary expressing strong opinions, could your Diggs or your bookmarks compromise your neutrality on your beat? Do balance and fairness come into play here? If you link to competing partisan sites, does the balance make it acceptable where linking to one side’s site would be unfair? What about linking to a site making some allegations about a person or company? Is that OK? If not, would it be acceptable if you also link to sites where the person or company presents its position? What responsibility, if any, do you bear for the accuracy of sites that you link to? Do you need to verify the information if you might be sending people to that site, just as you would verify the information in a story? If you don’t have to verify, do you need to point out any inaccuracies that you know of? What guidelines should you follow in comments you make about your links?
Photo or video networks. Social-networking platforms such as Flickr and YouTube are popular and fun. And they can provide timely content for your news site. But you need to consider lots of issues: You can link to content anywhere on the Internet, but if you want to embed photos or videos on your site, be sure to request and receive permission first. Keep in mind also that you don’t know the context of the photos or videos you find on sharing sites. Consider whether something might have been staged or re-created in a way that would not be acceptable for your staff. Might someone have altered digital content in a way that would be unethical for a photojournalist? How can you know whether the people sharing the photos or videos follow your standards for identifying people pictured or for verification of facts? How can you know whether the people sharing the photos or videos have any conflicts of interests that raise questions about the legitimacy of the images they present? How do you know (and does it matter?) that the people sharing photos or videos are identifying themselves accurately?
Facebook or MySpace. Facebook and MySpace can be valuable reporting tools. They also can present ethical dilemmas for journalists. Many users proclaim their opinions and affiliations on these social-networking sites, but journalists should be sure to check with their editors before doing so. Reporters might want to join some groups that deal with topics or issues on your beat, but be sure to check with your editor first because joining some particularly partisan groups could present a conflict of interests. And be careful when you use Facebook for reporting. You want to verify identity and information independently where you can. And be sure to attribute appropriately when you use something from Facebook, especially if you haven’t been able to verify. Because Facebook and MySpace offer blogging, linking and photo-sharing opportunities, they present all the same issues described above and in a separate Upholding and Updating Ethical Standards handout on blogging.
Twitter. If you mix professional and personal communication on Twitter, check with your editor to make sure that is OK at your organization. If your editor is not comfortable, discuss whether separate personal or professional Twitter accounts would be acceptable. Also discuss whether expressions of opinion about events you cover are acceptable (if you might be inclined to state opinions). Consider what your choice of people you follow might tell readers or sources about your interests and opinions. (Editors should discuss these issues with their staffs and know how staff members are using Twitter.)