NUJ tasks Professionals on social media usage

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Written by Abdullateef Abubakar Jos

Liman said this while delivering a paper entitled: ‘Traditional Media versus Social

Media,’ at a workshop organised by the Democratic Governance for

Development on Media and Elections in Abuja on Friday.

He said that social media and traditional media also known as mainstream

journalism should be seen to work together to complement each other for the

benefit of the society.

Liman, however, said regardless of the disadvantages of the social media in

terms of regulation and accountability, it was not enough to jettison social media

for mainstream journalism.

‘’There is no basis for competition rather there should be collaboration. Social

media is not a substitute for traditional or mainstream media and it cannot be,

rather they should collaborate with one another.

‘’Keeping your social media and traditional media efforts connected will allow you

expand your audiences across the board.

‘’ It is my submission that mainstream media will benefit more, if they harness

the potential that abound in social media and if they harness the zealousness

and commitment of citizen journalism in this regard.’’

Liman said one major area of competition included news breaking and revenue.

‘’Now traditional media is trying to keep pace with breaking news and ensure its

viewers and readers are abreast of the news at all times by incorporating social

media into their platforms.

Liman, also, cautioned the usage of stories from the social feeds without

verification, saying such act was professional misconduct.

The workshop was in collaboration with the UNDP, Institute for Democracy and

Electoral Assistance, International Foundation for Electoral Systems.