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The BBC goes blogging: Is ‘Auntie’ finally listening?

The BBC goes blogging: Is ‘Auntie’ finally listening?. Alfred Hermida Graduate School of Journalism University of British Columbia Alfred Hermida Graduate School of Journalism University of British Columbia. 2. Points of View, BBC, 1962. Points of View, BBC 1962. 3. Accountability.

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The BBC goes blogging: Is ‘Auntie’ finally listening?

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  1. The BBC goes blogging: Is ‘Auntie’ finally listening? Alfred Hermida Graduate School of Journalism University of British Columbia Alfred Hermida Graduate School of Journalism University of British Columbia

  2. 2 Points of View, BBC, 1962 Points of View, BBC 1962

  3. 3 Accountability BBC labeled as: Bloated monolith Monopolistic Elitist Complacent Poorly managed Photo: Joe Dunckley (http://www.flickr.com/photos/steinsky/)

  4. The J-blog • New form of journalism (Wendland, 2003; Singer, 2005; Wall, 2005) • Platform for accountability and transparency (Andrews, 2004; Glaser, 2004; Singer, 2003) • Photo: JKim1: (http://www.flickr/photos/jkim1)

  5. Methodology • BBC public policy documents • Internal BBC reports • Blog content on BBC and personal websites • Correspondence with senior editorial executives

  6. 6 Newslog, BBC 2001

  7. 7 Blogging the US election, BBC 2004

  8. Blogs? • Dissemination of information is great, but how much of it is trustworthy? They are an interesting phenomenon, but I don't think they will be as talked about in a year's time. • Mike Smartt, 2003

  9. Resistance • “The latest Internet phenomenon of which much is said and little understood” • “Fears by some that a new openness would lead to embarrassing disclosures and uncomfortable headlines” • “Lots of grappling with very practical problems and frustrations” • “People who argued vehemently that it was not the route for the BBC to go down”

  10. The Editors’ Blog • “Explain some of our editorial decisions, our priorities, answer criticisms” • “Hopefully draw other parts of BBC News into the process as well” • Pete Clifton, 2005

  11. 11 December 2005 - 1 blogNovember 2006 - 43 blogs

  12. Editorial values • Same rules apply as on air – impartiality is the watchword. Which means bloggers have to tread a careful line – they can be engaging and judgmental, but must not take sides. • BBC correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones, 2008

  13. Journalistic voice • It allows us a different tone of voice which, being less formal, can convey more of an insight into the perspectives, predicaments and personalities of our reporters (and editors) • Rachel Nixon, BBC News website, World Feature Editor, 2006

  14. Repairing trust • We do have an interest in hearing the public’s views about our news coverage, so we run an Editors' blog and host discussions about that – an essential part of a push towards greater accountability and openness and a way of enhancing and repairing the damaged trust in the BBC • Peter Horrocks, Head of BBC Newsroom, 2008

  15. Limits of the conversation • Few links to other websites, including blogs • A one-way process • Demands on time • Unstable infrastructure

  16. Thoughts for discussion • A new openness • A more personal form of journalism • Journalistic authority • Questions over acceptance

  17. 17 E-mail: alfred.hermida@ubc.caBlog: reportr.net

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