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Allspice1, via Flickr (CC license)
Are you a shrinking violet when it comes to public conversation online? Why or why not? |
In almost every blog and public forum where I participate, I've noticed that generally few of the commenters are journalists working for mainstream news organizations.
This is true even on blogs (like E-Media Tidbits) where journalists are the intended audience. I notice that for every public comment that gets posted to Tidbits, I receive 2-3 private e-mails. Generally, these private e-mails are not particularly sensitive (such as a journalists providing inside information about their employer that they might get in trouble for sharing). More often, they're simple questions, comments, criticisms, or opinions.
When I get these e-mails, I generally respond with, "Good point. Why don't you post that as a public comment to my post, and I'll respond to you there?" Generally at that point the conversation stops, and no corresponding comment appears on the blog.
I have some theories as to why journalists seem more reluctant than other folks to engage in public conversation online. Most of these relate to the toxic culture I think has developed in journalism and news organizations. But before I expand on these theories (which I intend to do in a subsequent Tidbits post), I'd like to hear from Tidbits readers:
Do you engage in public conversations online? Why or why not?
This can be anything from posting to comment threads associated with your own articles or blog posts, to leaving comments on other people's blogs, to posting to public forums or e-mail lists (where anyone can see what's said there), to participating publicly in social media (
Twitter,
Jaiku,
Facebook, etc.) It does
not include private communication (e-mail, phone calls, or other private channels) with people who do post publicly in such venues; nor to lurking on those venues (reading but not speaking up); nor to only posting via private or "protected" channels (such as a LiveJournal blog that only your "friends" can access).
If you DO engage in public conversation online:
- How often do you do it? Is it a regular habit or an occasional foray?
- Why do you do it? If you find public online conversation rewarding, how? If you feel a sense of obligation to participate, why?
- How transparent are you about who you are, what you do, and who you work for? If you conceal info about yourself or your work, what do you conceal, and how, and why?
- How has this affected your journalism? The stories or angles you cover, the sources you consult, etc. Has it also affected your relationship with your peers, bosses and coworkers, community, etc.?
If you DON'T (rarely or never) participate in public online conversation, why not?
- What are your concerns? Do you fear criticism, or your competition, or getting overwhelmed, etc? Do you think this might compromise your real or perceived ability to be objective, or otherwise undermine your credibility? Do you believe online conversation is mostly just a waste of time?
- Does your employer have policies that restrict or forbid your ability to engage in public online conversation?
- Do you lurk? Do you often read online comments and conversation without participating? Why?
I'd love to hear your opinion and experience on these matters. Please comment below.
...And be forewarned: If you're tempted to e-mail me privately on this topic, I won't read it. If you want me to hear what you have to say, you'll have to post your comment below. Publicly. Thanks.
I try to apply the same rules online that I...
