Skip to main content

Utilizing social media to report on COVID-19

I felt a little hindered at first, knowing that because of the coronavirus I couldn’t visit the television station and whip up a story like I normally would. But, being a multi-media journalist means being flexible. So, I and some fellow Troy University student journalists are reporting the news the best we can while also practicing social distancing; via social media. 

Because I can’t necessarily create a TV news package, because I really don’t have much to film in my home, I’ve had to rely more on a print format. I’ve reached out to the university and will soon reach out to students through my phone to get information from sources. 

I’m currently working on a story for Troy University’s student newspaper, The Tropolitan, about on campus dining closures. Many restaurants have closed down shop to prevent the spread of the virus.  All dining options in the Trojan Center are unavailable, and a few other eateries have new, temporary hours. Troy’s dining hall is now offering to-go orders for students, so they can eat meals in their dorm rooms. I was able to get this information without even having to leave my home and will include it in my article and on my Twitter. 

Speaking of Twitter, I’ve used the platform to share quick news updates to my followers. From retweeting the latest stats on confirmed COVID-19 cases across the state of Alabama, to writing my own content; Twitter has been a helpful tool to share quick spirts of information.  

As updates come in, I’m cycling them out to my following. A really big story I shared was the Dothan Eagle’s article on a confirmed case in Dothan; meaning that Troy residents are now surrounded, as cases are in Dothan and Montgomery now. 

Yesterday, I tweeted about how a local restaurant was taping off tables to prevent guests from sitting too close to other people dining in; a simple precaution that I thought my followers would find interesting.  

Today, I made a quick trip to the grocery store and noticed a near empty shelf which once held toilet paper. I snapped a photo and tweeted it out with #coronavirus; allowing my followers to know that only a few more rolls of toilet paper were available for purchase. 

A big take away from all of this is that news can be shared a variety of ways, and it’s our job as journalists to do it.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Localize it: Coronavirus

Apart of being an effective journalist is localizing stories. What does that mean? It means I examine the impact broad, national or international stories are having on our local communities. Every story must put people first, so by looking at how people are being affected in a smaller community, we understand the real implications of a large newsworthy event.  The Chinese Coronavirus has made many headlines lately, and rightfully so. CNBC reports that 563 people in China have died so far from the disease, with a confirmed 28,000 cases reported.  The outbreak has been devasting for the people of China, which is why countries are keeping a close eye on international travel to and from the region. People fear the spread of the virus.  How could an outbreak in China be localized? Well, now it’s in the United States. As of Wednesday, NBC reports that 12 cases of the disease have been brought into the U.S. This may remind some Americans of the Ebola outbreak that happened back
Post a Comment
Read more

A look behind the lens

You look new, welcome to “Views from the News!” On this weekly blog I will provide a look behind the lens, hence the title, of a broadcast journalist. Many people see the glamor of being on television before the long hours of blindly finding sources, running around, conducting interviews and creating news content.  My name is Brady Talbert, and I currently study broadcast journalism at Troy University. At Troy, I serve as the student news director, reporter, anchor and producer at TROY TrojanVision News ; our daily television newscast. I am also a staff writer for The Tropolitan , the student produced newspaper. I have also interned with professional print publications, radio stations and video production companies. I am passionate about the world of journalism and am always eager to share it with others.  Here, you will see how the stories I tell on TV and in print come together. I will also provide a deeper, closer look at topics I have or will cover. I want you, t
Post a Comment
Read more

Don’t be afraid to be a source

Sources! Sources! Sources! Sources are an essential part of creating a news story. Whether it be for radio, television or print, news cannot be reported without them.  So, what exactly is a source? A source is someone who provides a journalist with information. They can be a well-educated, insightful professional who provides detailed facts or simply a citizen sharing their opinion on the topic at hand. The latter is the type of source I am talking about now.  Often times I find myself searching for an average, everyday person to share their thoughts. Whether it be on new legislation, something controversial or even someone’s thoughts on a community service project, people are often reluctant to stand in front of a camera and be interviewed.   I get it, I really do. A camera can be scary for some, and I have to remind myself that not everyone is used to it. I often find myself coaxing people into doing an interview, and people usually commit once they know I can edit o
Post a Comment
Read more