Resources for journalists learning how to code, the possible 140-character-plus tweet and more in this week's Digital Media Mash Up, produced by the Center for International Media Assistance.
4 ways journalists can get help with their code
There are growing numbers of storytelling tools online to help journalists present their copy and material in more engaging ways, from timelines to data visualization and more immersive longform experiences. But many require some understanding of code to customize the layout and create the story you envisioned from your data and visuals. There is no shortage of resources to help you learn a programming language, and they are often available for free. (Journalism.co.uk, 9/30)
Twitter mulls expanding size of tweets past 140 characters
Twitter Inc. is contemplating whether to allow users to tweet more than 140 characters at a time, a debate that challenges one of the fundamental features of the social media service. (The Wall Street Journal, 9/29)
What audiences think of journalists’ social media use
As more people have turned to Facebook and other social media platforms as a place to gather and share ideas, many journalists have been urged by newsroom management to use these spaces as a place to share their work and connect with the public. Many journalists are encouraged to engage with audiences by leading Twitter chats, responding to comments left on news articles posted to Facebook and using social media more broadly to develop relationships and drive people to news websites. As social media becomes an increasingly important news source for the American public, reporters feel more pressure to participate in these sorts of interactions. (Journalist's Resource, 9/24)
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Main image CC-licensed by Flickr via ashewor.
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