J-Lab Episode 13: Journalist persona on social media

J-Lab

In this episode on the persona of journalists on social media, we'll hear the thoughts and experiences of Ash Sarkar, senior editor at Novara Media, contributor to the Guardian and Independent and regular commentator on politics and society on BBC Question Time, Newsnight and Have I Got News For You; Susie Boniface, journalist and author who uses the pseudonym Fleet Street Fox in her Daily Mirror column and on Twitter; Chris Stokel-Walker, journalist and author of YouTubers, a book which charts the rise of influencers and explores their personas; and Dr Bethany Usher, former Fleet Street reporter, whose research focuses on persona, politics and the press in mainstream and social media. "Big-name" journalists have some of the largest followings on social media. But how do journalists balance their personal and professional personas on social media? How can they protect their authenticity and credibility while also building a personal brand? Can they be objective and opinionated? And what are the challenges/opportunities this heightened visibility brings them? Listen to this podcast episode to hear what our panel of journalists and academics think.