What journalists retweet

Opinion, humor, and brand development on Twitter

Bibliographic Data

ID7477572
AuthorsLogan Molyneux (0000-0001-7382-3065, University of Texas at Austin, USA, corresponding author)
Year2014
Volume16
Issue7
Pages920-935
Publication date2014-09-25
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournalism (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1464-8849 • E-ISSN: 1741-3001
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/1464884914550135
OpenAlexW2052650591
LanguageEN
Citations received113
References cited18

Using Twitter, journalists may pass along comment from other users without, at least ostensibly, taking accountability for that message. Minimizing responsibility and editorial oversight, as is the case with retweets, allows a different view of individual journalists as gatekeepers. Through a qualitative textual analysis, this study finds that journalists are challenging norms of objectivity and independence on Twitter. Journalists frequently pass along subtle interpretation and analysis rather than strong opinions. Many retweets are humorous, sometimes even at journalism’s expense. Journalists also retweet many messages about themselves, working to build a personal brand and relationships with their audience. Implications for journalists, their industry, and the audience are discussed

Advertising · Business · Citizen journalism · Interpretation (philosophy · Journalism · Objectivity (philosophy · Opinion leadership · Political science · Public relations · Sociology · Computer Science · Media Studies and Communication · Misinformation and Its Impacts · Social Media and Politics · Law

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