Five Ways Journalists Use Twitter

I believe it was an article in Politico that turned me on to the value of Twitter as a resource for journalists. I joined in July 2007 and have found it to be one of the best tools out there for staying current what is happening as well as capturing the pulse of the nation. 

Currently there are more than 280 million active users on Twitter and I personally find the platform invaluable.

I decided to ask Google's Bard (AI rival to ChatGPT) how other journalists use Twitter.  

BARD: Here are five ways that journalists use Twitter:

1. To break news. Twitter is a great platform for journalists to break news. They can use it to tweet about developing stories, share exclusive information, and get feedback from their followers. For example, in 2016, the New York Times broke the news that Donald Trump had won the US presidential election on Twitter.
2. To share their stories. Twitter is a great way for journalists to share their stories with the world. They can use it to tweet about their reporting, share their thoughts on current events, and connect with their readers. For example, the BBC's Lyse Doucet often tweets about her experiences as a journalist, sharing her insights into the latest news stories from around the world.
3. To source stories. Twitter can be a great tool for journalists to source stories. They can use it to find sources, get tips, and get feedback from their followers. For example, the Washington Post's David Fahrenthold used Twitter to source his Pulitzer Prize-winning story about Donald Trump's charitable foundation.
4. To build an audience. Twitter can be a great way for journalists to build an audience. They can use it to connect with their readers, share their work, and promote their brand. For example, the Guardian's Owen Jones has built a large following on Twitter, where he shares his thoughts on politics and current affairs.
5. To engage with the public. Twitter can be a great way for journalists to engage with the public. They can use it to answer questions, share information, and get feedback from their followers. For example, the BBC's Nick Robinson often tweets about his reporting, sharing his thoughts on current events, and answering questions from his followers.

These are just a few of the ways that journalists use Twitter. It is a powerful tool that can be used for a variety of purposes, from breaking news to building an audience to engaging with the public.

For me, one of the chief ways I use Twitter is to read the feedback to controversial Tweets. I've often gained insights as regards how divergent points of view can be. 

There are plenty of other ways to gain these insights, and many other places for more in-depth discussions. For example, the comments at The Unherd are consistently of a high caliber. 

That's all for today.