Twice this week I personally have been called out by two separate former followers on Twitter.  Words like sensational and ignorant were used to describe me personally as a member of the media.  In later posts both former followers then made degrading statements regarding media.  Then both quit following me.  A third former follower posted a question that tried to imply I was pushing station policy, when that simply wasn't the case.  I tried to speak to all three to open a dialogue to discuss whatever needed to be discussed.  None talked back. 

It was like I'd taken a phone call on the news desk, was yelled at and then hung up on without the chance of defending myself.  One of my biggest frustrations is always being lumped in with such horrible assessments of "media."  I am more than "media."  Each of us journalists are.  We have families and backgrounds and life experiences which we bring to the newsroom.  When all of that is combined and we work together to cover stories of all kinds, it's simply amazing.  We're not afraid to be honest when someone is bringing in a personal bias that taints a story.  We encourage each other to make connections with stories we know so we can tell the best story.  We edit each other.  We support each other.  That's how a newsroom works.  We are human and are not perfect, but we don't set out with agendas to be the "media" we're often accused of being.

One reason many journalists don't want to use social platforms is because on these platforms people want you to be real, be human, be someone they can relate to and talk to.  I strive to be personable, reachable and open in my use of various social platforms as I share what it's like to work in a television newsroom.  I had hoped that by doing so maybe the belief some have that media in general is bias, arrogant, or "insert stereotype here" would diminish.  I had hoped to show that I am a real person just doing my job to the best of my ability, like everyone else, even though my job is in a newsroom and I am a journalist.

This week has been a good lesson.  I know the future of journalism is changing drastically and social platforms have a major role in that.  I am not giving up on my use of these platforms; nor am I closing any doors to the next level of journalistic evolution.  (Who wants to wager what that next level is? Me, I'm guessing it will involve a new level of texting and someday we will see on-demand news!)  I am admitting that those that are concerened about using social platforms, have valid concerns.  These concerns, however; shouldn't stop us from learning new journalistic styles. 

This week's lesson has been that no matter what I do, some will always have their personal bias and belief's towards media.  There is nothing I can do to change that.  It's not up to me to change that.  My responsibility is to grow as a journalist and to strive to be better each day.