Social Media's Influence on Broadcast Journalism: My Perspective

The broadcast journalism career is changing ever so rapidly.  Over the past few decades, the way we get our news has changed time after time.  When one new thing comes out, there is already something in the works that will only take that great technology over.  Broadcast journalism basically took over for how we got our news in the olden days, through printed newspapers and posters.

Although you can get your news on the air, you can now get most if not all of your news from their online websites and by the boom in social media.   Obviously the last couple of years the internet has become generally the primary source of your daily news. Working through change is essential, and without the use of social media, you will not survive in the broadcasting field.

More than ever, people are using Facebook and Twitter and other social media sources to learn about what's happening in the world as traditional TV news becomes increasingly less relevant to the digital generation.

Breaking news like the Boston Marathon Bombing, the Newtown, Connecticut shooting, and the Ferguson riots are just a few of the major news that have happened that were social media driven. We knew instantly via online resources before TV news would confirm the happenings. Ordinary citizens are now breaking news on Twitter first. I, even myself as a reporter, Tweet updates first, before writing and producing my reports and web scripts. Times are changing!

As with any disrupting technologies, social media is having both positive and negative impacts on journalists and journalism. Everyone provides an opinion on the topic. Yes, it may be a huge positive for we can now move information quickly among a large group of people; however, the downside is you can just as easily pass misinformation. 

One of my favorite things about the social media boom in the news industry is how we can provide so much more information to our fans.  Yes, Twitter is huge for us, but we also a huge Facebook market in Eau Claire.  Most news stations now have a Facebook page where fans can read up on the latest news, learn more weather and sports, and get to know the on-air personalities even more. This keeps fans more interested in our productions. We at WEAU even provide "news teases" that we post an hour before the newscast, and even show sneak-peak videos through Facebook to get fans excited about upcoming newscasts.

 10pm News Tease on Facebook

Facebook is a great way for networks to promote their shows because when someone likes a page on Facebook, all the friends in his or her network are notified. This encourages even more people to visit the news station's page and also become fans. This means social media is now crucial to promoting news shows. You will find every single popular news station on Facebook.

Not only do news stations have Facebook pages, but the news personalities also do, too! I have my own “Josh Spreiter WEAU” news personality Facebook page. It’s a great way for me to connect with my viewers on a business level, and a personal note, I can share so much with them via Facebook that I can’t with my news segments on TV. There’s just not enough time to share all that needs to be shared. With TV, comes limitation. I love what social media can bring us because there are really no limitations. I use the “Josh Spreiter WEAU” Facebook page 24/7, where I only get 2 minutes in the 10pm newscasts regularly for my work.

 My WEAU News Personality Page 

YouTube is also huge for the news industry. I am able to upload my work and send clips to news directors at stations in all types of television markets. I can get feedback at the click of the mouse. Instead of sending tapes through "snail mail," all I have to do is put my on-air demo tape on YouTube, and then send that YouTube link to the news director. They can look at it in a second! It is truly something. It makes it so much easier to get a job.

Finding a job can also be tough sometimes; networking is so important!  It is believed that your existing contacts are actually of little use if you’re trying to work your way up in a job.  It is important to find people who know about jobs in your new field; you need to taking chances and go for the top.

The most important thing to do in the broadcasting field is network, network, network.  It is so important to know people who will give good words about you to others in the industry.  One of the quotes I've come to get to know really well, “It’s who you know in this world that’s going to get you a job, not what you know.” It should not be like that, but that’s the way it is in today’s society. 

Through social media, I have made so many connections! It is truly crazy how many people you can get to know through social media. Through my day to day life, I am connected with journalists all across the country! It is truly amazing!

As you all very well know by now, social media and the Internet have had a significant impact on television. In general, news shows want to engage with their fans as much as possible to gain a more loyal audience and this is made possible through social media.

Overall I feel that social media has been great for the news industry, but I also feel that it is because of the generation I have grown up in. I know a lot of people who hate what social media has done to the news industry, but they also reported without the use of the "internet" as well! A lot has changed for veteran news reporters who have been in field for decades.

How else do you think social media and the Internet have changed the way TV news is brought into your home? Leave a comment below! I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Time flies when you're having fun!

I can't believe how it is already December. It's hard to believe that it's already been almost four years since I graduated high school. My career began four years ago when I chose SMSU as the place for me, and now I'm in the real world working full-time doing what I love. It's crazy how time has began to fly by faster and faster as I get older. It's seems as if the holiday season comes around sooner and sooner every year. I have often heard the quote "Time flies when you're having fun." So what is the key to time perception? 

Routine makes time go faster; unique and memorable events slow down time. Although there is comfort in routine, it does make time fly. So, if you want to “slow down” time, and make your Christmases (or your every day) last longer, change the routine. Create unique experiences for each one. You can also engage in greater mindedness, focusing on and savoring each passing moment. The old adage of “live for the moment” is the key to slowing down those quickly passing years.

I LOVE living in the moment. This past weekend, I did my first anchoring for WEAU. :)

Push yourself

Over time, I have had the opportunity to meet with various media professionals from across the Midwest. Each person I met with had a common theme: The most important thing to do in anything that you pursue is the act of pushing yourself. "Push Yourself." Inspire, encourage and motivate people to make a difference. Step outside of your comfort zone to stir and cultivate a movement that changes the world. If everyone pushed themselves to do more, the world would be a better place. One person going above and beyond can be infectious to those around them, creating a ripple effect of positive and uplifting actions. Pushing yourself is not just a movement; it's a way of life.

What have YOU done today?

This is Josh Spreiter with a Breaking News Alert...

Recently, I experienced my first ever "Breaking News" event. It was on a Friday, what we like to call "Breaking News Friday." I have been told about "Breaking News Friday" ever since I first moved to this station. This was the first time I witnessed it...

I was just about to go LIVE at a protest in Downtown Eau Claire on WEAU 13 News at Five, when I get a phone call from my news director back at the station. He goes..."Josh, after your live hit in the five, I need you to meet Jeff (my photographer) in Chippewa Falls. We have some breaking news...an officer-involved shooting."

You can just about imagine what was going through my head, which was spinning at about a million miles per hour. After I got done with my hit in the five, I raced up to Chippewa Falls which was about 25 minutes from my current location. My heart pounded the entire ride up there, as I was flying down the freeway in a station vehicle. I get to the scene around 5:45. I have less than 15 minutes to figure out what all went down....and like usual, I have to turn very little information into something the public can understand. I go LIVE on WEAU 13 News at Six right out of the NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams.

"This is Josh Spreiter reporting in Chippewa Falls this evening with a Breaking News Alert...an officer has been stabbed in an officer-involved shooting. The suspect is dead."

After giving the details I knew, I sent it back to the station.

I then ended the 6 o'clock news with an update.

"This is Josh Spreiter reporting once again in Chippewa Falls this evening where an officer has been stabbed in an officer-involved shooting..........We'll have the latest again tonight with another LIVE report on WEAU 13 News at Ten.. For now, LIVE in Chippewa Falls, This Josh Spreiter reporting for WEAU 13 News."

After updating the viewers at ten, I took a nice breath. It was my first ever breaking news event, and my coverage went on without a hitch. Many compliments were received. Again, I was reminded how this career is for me. 

Share your Selfie!

I know some people get annoyed of  the "Selfie," but I love them! I love taking a selfie whenever possible. It's just so fun and easy to do. Below is a selfie of me and two of my very good friends, who are also my coworkers! After Ellen DeGeneres and Jimmy Kimmel first started their nationwide "Selfie Share", so many people jumped on the bandwagon. I always think it's fitting to do, so I thought I'd share one with my followers. I feel that the "Selfie" is a great way at showing people how far a smile can go. Post your "Selfie" and be proud of it.

Today's Lesson:           Be you - and don't change for anybody!

Election Night 2014!

So Tuesday was my first ever LIVE coverage of an election. It was incredible. Usually, my days off are Monday's and Tuesday's, but this week I was called in to cover WEAU 13 News' Decision 2014 newscasts. I at first was extremely nervous about it, but I ended up having a blast and absolutely rocking my LIVE shots. For the five and six, I was LIVE at an area polling place, just talking about the numbers and showing them what was happening. It just so happened to be one of the largest turnouts for a midterm election! Some of the reasons being that Gov. Scott Walker up for reelection, and some area referendums. Then, after the six, my photographer and I headed up to the Republican Watch Party where we would go LIVE for our special night of coverage on WEAU 13 News, Decision 2014. I was nervous because I had never done a LIVE interview before. I ended up rocking it. We cut into Brian Williams' Election Coverage on NBC at 9:26 with a LIVE report.

"We are LIVE at the Republican Watch Party where as you can see and hear, lots of celebrating is going on behind me. Gov. Scott Walker has been reelected as Wisconsin Governor. We'll be sure to bring you more details as we get them tonight on Decision 2014 on WEAU 13 News. For now, LIVE in Eau Claire County, Josh Spreiter, WEAU 13 News."

I broke the news on LIVE TV. It was incredible. I learned so much and absolutely rocked my reports out of the park. We were also LIVE a few times at ten with updates as well. This night really reassured me that I definitely chose the right career. You have to find your passion in life, and I walk in and out of work with a smile on every single day!

One month already?!

It has already been a month since I started my new job as a reporter on WEAU 13 News (NBC) in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. We're accustomed to the phrase, "Time flies when you're having fun." I can say that this is sooooo true! I can't believe how fast my first four weeks have gone at my first gig. I was torn at first. I was trying to figure out if I made the right decision by ending college early, by starting work. I can truly say it was the best decision I ever made, with choosing SMSU right behind on the best choices I have made in my life. Life is good. You really have to think about all of the positive things you have in your life. Sometimes, you may have a bad day here and there. I may get a bad story topic that I still have to turn, even if I disagree with it. It's a part of life. It's what makes us stronger. Last week was a crazy week for me, but super fun! On Thursday, I did a story on how Halloween candy can be bad on a child's teeth. Friday, I was LIVE at a haunted house for the five and six, and then back with some Trick-Or-Treaters for the ten. It was an unbelievably crazy day, but it was so much fun, and days like this are what remind me that I truly have the best job in the world!