Biz journalists incorporate social media into beats

A number of business journalists are taking part in the BeatBlogging.org project being started by Jay Rosen of MediaShift and New York University to incorporate social networking into their coverage.

The reporters include Ed Silverman, who covers the pharmaceutical industry for The Star-Ledger in Newark; Cincinnati Enquirer reporter Keith Reed, who covers Proctor & Gamble; Matt Nauman of the San Jose Mercury News, who covers energy and “green” tech; and Brier Dudley of the Seattle Times, who covers Northwest tech.

The idea is to see how these reporters can use social networking to improve their beat coverage.

Reed, for example, is new to the beat. Rosen wrote, “He’s going to build the social network approach in from the start of his beat, and also use the network to introduce himself to Cincinnati. ‘P & G’s reach in this region is broad and deep,’ writes business editor Carolyn Pione. ‘Their business hits our economy on many levels, from vendor relationships to shareholders, former employees who are now entrepreneurs, retirees volunteering in the community, spin-off industries and community development organizations.'”

About Dudley, Rosen wrote: “‘I write about the technology business with a particular focus on companies in the Northwest,’ he says. ‘My coverage includes national and global companies and trends that have a bearing on people and companies in the region.’ Dudley notes that ‘many of my sources are active users of social networking tools (some even create social networking tools and platforms.)’ He plans to ‘develop an interactive advisory board representing different perspectives from around the region and industry.'”

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