Diana’s Guide To The TV News Twittersphere

For me, getting rolling on Twitter is one of those things that looms large and gets bigger the longer I put it off — sort of like hanging all those pictures lying around (to say nothing of framing them first) and bringing the pets in for their shots.

Which is not to say I haven’t dabbled in Twitterland. After numerous incarnations of my name were rejected as a handle, I threw in “TV” — as in, @tv_dianam — thinking that perhaps having those two little letters would help me connect with like-minded tweeters (read: get story ideas). It’s a bit silly, but may be working; I am the proud owner of a whopping 46 followers, who now get my weekly TVNewsCheck stories via Twitter — when I remember to send them.

But in the interest of public service (and because my editor Harry Jessell, a.k.a. @hajessell, asked me to), I recently delved deep into the Twittersphere in search of its offerings for broadcast journalists so that I could share them with you, and expand my own horizons at the same time.

It took about five minutes to get overloaded — even more so than expected — by the abundance of broadcasters, reporters, academics, industry reps and industry watchers, friends and competitors.

I tried finding the Twitter superstars by following the followers of the people I follow, looking for chatter  about TV news, all in 140-character increments. Once completely shell shocked, I turned for help to friends better versed in tweeting than I am — TVNewsCheck tech editor Andrew Dodson, @AndrewDodson, who heroically combed through roughly 1,000 Twitter accounts researching the first incarnation of this story; NetNewsCheck Editor Michael Depp, who graciously clued me into where the in journalism crowd congregate online; and Poynter’s Al Tompkins, @atompkins, from whose ready-made list of recommendations I liberally poached.

In turn, we have below the first official list of TV News Tweeters Worth Following — nothing too avant garde but a sampling of tweeters from different segments of the industry, enough to help those of us sort of late to the game catch up.

To start, here are some of journalists’ favorite accounts. They are not necessarily broadcast specific but have huge followings — many have 100,000-plus — of individuals with connections to the news business, creating continual dialogue relevant to TV news.

David Carr, @carr2n, who writes the New York Times’ “Media Equation” column has built an enormous following — 428,000 Twitter users — through his continual tweets that include topics covered in his column that focuses on media issues including print, digital, film, radio and television. Critiquing the media has made NYU journalism teacher Jay Rosen, @jayrosen_nyu, a favorite tweeter among journalists.

By 11 a.m. Monday, Rosen already covered topics including newspapers partnering with universities to restore critics, a PBS NewsHour overhaul, a Dutch leaks site that has media backing and Politico’s purchase of the news site Capital New York.

Once you’ve caught up with Rosen, check out BuzzMachine’s Jeff Jarvis, @jeffjarvis, whose tweets about news, journalism, media and politics has made his account into a popular forum for discussion on those topics. Fox News’ Howard Kurtz, @howardkurtz, is another popular guy worth following for raising questons about the media’s coverage of everything from Syria and Anthony Weiner to Miley Cyrus.

There are also several more institutional industry watchers — the academics and associations that keep tabs on the state of broadcast journalism and where it’s going — worth checking in on. Some of these folks raise issues, and consider remedies, for the challenges of the business.

PEJ, @PEJPew. The Pew Research Center’s Project for Excellence in Journalism studies the performance of the press. PEJ says its goal is “to help both the journalists who produce the news and the citizens who consume it develop a better understanding of what the press is delivering, how the media are changing and what forces are shaping those changes.” Many of group’s tweets offer industry headlines, linking to the organization’s daily briefings, a compilation of journalism-related news.

IRE, @IRE_NICAR. Investigative Reporters & Editors is increasingly becoming a go-to organization for TV journalists as local news beefs up investigative reporting. The organization offers training and holds an annual conference, which includes panels for broadcasters. Many of these tweets also offer headlines with links to IRE’s website, which offers tips and information about investigative journalism.

Deborah Potter, @TVNewsLab. Potter runs newslab.org, a Web resource for journalists that focuses on broadcast and online journalism. Potter is a veteran journalism trainer, reporter and writer. She is a contributing correspondent to Religion and Ethics Newsweekly on PBS and a columnist for American Journalism Review.  On Monday morning, Potter’s followers discussed the announcement that WJLA Washington’s Inside Washington would be ending its 40-plus year run.

Poynter Institute, @poynter, is a Florida school dedicated to training journalists, so its tweets touch on everything from industry-related news and tips for doing the job better to research. Andrew Beaujon, @abeaujon, who reports on the media for Poynter Online, is one of the tweeters so he covers what’s going on in the larger business. Al Tompkins, @atompkins, is the school’s broadcast journalism expert so look for tweets more specific to that segment of the business.

RTDNA, @RTDNA. The Radio Television Digital News Association has long been a primary advocate and trainer for electronic journalists, the group that’s created industry standards like a code of ethics. The group’s tweets keep you in the loop.

Some Twitter feeds offer journalists tips for doing their jobs better.

Journalist’s Toolbox, @journtoolbox. Journalist’s Toolbox is a Society of Professional Journalists site providing links and resources for reporters, editors and academics. DePaul University’s Mike Reilley created it. He covers stuff like tips for data journalism workflow, archives for 9/11 stories and tips for making your website more mobile friendly on a budget.

Journalist’s Resource, @journoresource, is Harvard’s contribution to improving the industry. The project is designed to help journalists cover stories better by offering them offers free access to research and studies on topics in today’s news.

@TwitterForNews will help you be a better tweeter. The popular feed — it has nearly 700,000 followers — spotlights “best practices and innovative uses of Twitter” by journalists and newsrooms.

In addition, you’ll have no problem finding news about the news business on Twitter. The feeds come from TV news-specific sites and media columnists for the bigger industry trades and national newspapers. 

Start, naturally, with @TVNewsCheck, whose feeds include links to continually updated news about broadcasting. @romenesko, the Twitter account from longtime media blogger Jim Romenesko, is another to check out.

Simon Dumenco, @simondumenco, is the media columnist at Advertising Age, who says he tweets what he’s reading (if it’s interesting). Brian Stelter, @brianstelter, covers television and digital media for the New York Times. Bill Carter, @wjcarter, also covers the TV industry for the Times. Joe Flint, @JBFlint, is the Los Angeles Times media reporter. Liz Heron, @lheron, the Wall Street Journal’s editor of emerging media, is another reporter who has turned her Twitter account into a hub for journalists and talk about the media. She was recently named one of Editor and Publisher’s 10 women in journalism to watch.

TVSpy, which Tweets as @TVSpyNews, has a continuous stream of news about TV news — everything from personnel changes and lawsuits to oddities, like the recent story of a weatherman who woke up with a bat on his face. TVNewsInsider, @tvnewsinsider, is another site that focuses exclusively on the business. Sister site Newscast Studio, @newscaststudio, tweets news involving the creative components of the business – stuff like set design and graphics. Broadcast news is one of the focuses of Mediaite, which tweets as @mediaite and covers TV, print and online media. Mediagazer, @mediagazer, tweets the day’s “must-read media news.”

When it comes to industry insiders, the folks at the media consultancy SmithGeiger are pretty active, too. Chris Archer, @ArcherTV, is the company’s SVP-senior strategist for the media consultancy. You can find insight from his colleague, Jacques Natz, via @JNatz. And SmithGeiger, the company, has a Twitter feed for TV meteorologists. Its @smithgeigerwx.

And then there are Twitter feeds worth checking out just because they’re kind of fun.

Reporter Problems, @ReporterProbs. An arena for TV news folks to dish about everything from job searches to getting ketchup off that white dress shirt just before going on-air. There’s also Producer Problems, @producerprobs, a like-minded feed for people who work in the countrol rooms.

Survive TV News jobs, @survivetvjobs, is another good one. SurviveTVNewsJobs.com, “an honest guide to journalism jobs,” offers broadcast journalists practical solutions for newsroom problems — and its Twitter feed is a means for journalists to dish about how to survive them. StuffJournalistsLike, @journalistslike, is another good forum for tweeters to chat about anything, from questions whether “Google” should be capitalized when used as a verb and jokes for grammar nerds to 27 things media people like.

There are scores more, including many, I am sure, that I haven’t found. Feel free to help me grow this list. Send me your favorites to follow at [email protected]. Or, heck, just tweet them to @tv_dianam.