2. #c4news - who we are…
We hold the powerful to account, we take calculated risks
We offer depth and analysis with a clear voice
We are the most characterful and passionate team in TV/online news
We make news trusted and valued for its independence
3. Why, what & how we tweet
• Twitter gives us round-the-clock presence:
….building momentum before 7pm news programme
….keeping the conversation moving during & after show
• We tweet breaking news, links, questions, behind-the-scenes
pictures, video & updates
• We aim to provoke meaningful way – show we are listening
& ready to act on information
• We are a family of tweeters – from Jon & Krish to camera
operators
4. Who tweets?
• Everyone! Get the whole team involved
….our camera operators tweet amazing pics
(Gaza, US election).
• Play to individual strengths
• Weave specialist knowledge into main flow (in
our case the @Channel4News account)
• Get those with big followings to retweet
• ITN policy (post mod & common sense)
5. Creating news #events
• Pick a key story for your publication or
programme & create an “event”
• Build conversation around a topic – own the
hashtag
• New format for #c4news paying dividends -
#nogobritain, #pastontrial
8. Reacting to events
• Watch and react – make it clear you’re
listening to followers
• Twitter is the story, not just promo
• Use tweets in your coverage
• Understand where social topics cross over with
engaged digital communities
• Accept you’ll get red herrings – normal checks
& balances
9. Check & balances
• Think before you tweet - risk v gain
• For verification – journalistic checks more vital
than ever
• Tutor your own team – hold workshops with
reporters on your specialist desks
• Link out – reflecting other’s good journalism
helps build your profile
10. Fun & being human!
• Our most retweeted ever tweet was a bit
cheeky…….
• People love a good quiz
• Telling someone “you have the body of a
triathlete” is always going to make you some
friends, and then they can tell theirs
