Social media required for good journalism?

Can you be a good journalist and not be plugged into social media?

The Washington Post’s Local Editor Vernon Loeb says, “No.”

“Social media are not really optional anymore,” says Loeb. “You can’t do your job without them. Social media are where news often breaks first. They’re a great way to cultivate sources, track events, find experts, and to drive audiences to our journalism. . . . You can’t be a good reporter unless you are involved in the social media realm.”

The Post is now instituting mandatory social media training for all reporters and editors on the Metro staff.

The ombudsman’s column on this issue says journalists’ social media efforts must not occur at the expense of the fundamentals and says this is not all about the chase “for the greatest number of page views, Twitter followers and Facebook friends, instead of the great story.”

What do you think?  Is social media a must?  Can you do your job without it?

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