Shall We Talk About Journalism? Part 9: The Perils Of Social Media
Don't make yourself look bad by being obnoxious, even if you've been provoked. Yes, I know... Do as I say, not what I've done
Note: I entered journalism without any training at the age of 29 but became Football Editor of The Times. I’ve written for many publications, including columns for The Independent and the Evening Standard. I’m now a freelance writer and host The Athletic’s Liverpool podcast
SOCIAL MEDIA IS your best friend. And your worst enemy.
It is a very useful tool for anyone involved in journalism. Those who engage with it properly can promote their work, interact with readers, listeners and viewers and even generate story tips and ideas for pieces.
But it’s not for the faint-hearted. The level of abuse can sometimes feel overwhelming.
I have an email address in my twitter (X) bio. Over the 13 years I’ve been using the platform, half a dozen individuals have made contact giving me leads or asking for help. Mostly, though, people use it to sign me up to gay websites, right-wing newsletters, alcoholic helplines and penis enlargement programmes. The jokes write themselves.
Then there is the personal abuse. It’s bad enough when it comes into your replies on social media but checking your email and finding a string of invective and death threats feels much more intrusive.
You need a thick skin to make a career in journalism. There have been numerous occasions over the years when managers, players or agents have taken exception to something I’ve written and let me know about their annoyance. In football, you are bound to bump into people you’ve upset at some point. Yet, at least for me, it feels more jarring when anonymous trolls go on the attack because they have a different (and often uninformed) view about sport.
My favourite exchange was with an Everton fan. I’d made a fairly innocuous post about the fee paid to Chelsea for Romelu Lukaku. One of the replies said, simply, “You’re old. You’ll be dead soon. Enjoy.”
After checking the respondent’s bio and seeing he was from Yorkshire, I batted it back. “You’re an Evertonian. From Wakefield. I’d rather be dead.”
Hardly scintillating wit but, in context, it was an obvious jest. The fella – and they are invariably men – deleted his opening salvo and complained to The Times about my tweet. He wanted me sacked.
Worse was the Arsenal fan who, after I said it was pathetic that the Emirates crowd cheered the cancellation of the last train to Liverpool on a Saturday evening when the Gunners played Everton, sent me this beautiful message: “You should have died at Hillsborough.”
If you have fragile sensibilities, stay away from your mentions. The best advice I can offer is don’t be like me. Being naturally combative, I’ve let the urge to lash out overcome me over the years. There are certain things to remember before you do this.
The internet is for ever. While media organisations like their employees to have a prominent social media presence, they’ll look at your interactions. If you’re calling half your followers *****, it’s not a good look.
I arranged to see a young writer who worked for another paper. He was a smartarse on twitter. Within minutes of our first meeting, I told him: “One day you’re going to work for me. Every time you’re a prick to someone on social media, I’ll be on the phone to you. Stop it.”
You’re not going to convert people to your viewpoint by being funny, clever or more knowledgeable. Haters will hate. They are best ignored.
It’s probably sensible to avoid looking at replies to anything vaguely controversial – and the boundaries of controversy seem to get stretched wider with every year. The downside of this is you will miss some genuinely interesting responses. That is a small price to pay if you’re easily destabilised.
The rules – for everyone, not just journalists – should be obvious. Only say things on social media that you would say to someone’s face. Use the various platforms to promote your work and to establish credibility. Getting into namecalling sessions will not help that.
Have clear boundaries about what’s acceptable from people who engage with you. I do not tolerate racism or accusations of drunkenness – a classic anti Scouse trope that informed the vile coverage of Hillsborough. I used to pride myself about not blocking. That was very silly.
Above all, stop treating social media as fun. Regard it as a professional tool and behave accordingly.
Do what I say, not what I’ve done.
Last week, I wrote about the importance of turning yourself into a brand. Social media is likely to become an increasingly big part of that. Make it a component of your working duties and before you hit the button to send any post, consider the impact it might have on your career.
Next Monday: When it all goes wrong
Week 1: How to start writing
Week 2: Life as a reporter
Week 3: Sub-editing, the highs and lows
Week 4: Columns, interviews and features
Week 5: Match reporting under pressure
Week 6: Ethics and lack of them