Identify the risks and benefits of engaging with a public audience in a media space–what are the risks for a public figure or person in a position of trust (educator, lawyer, government official)?

Engaging with a public audience on social media provides our general audience allows everyone to express their feelings on a topic. When engaging with the public, there are several benefits and risks to consider towards the rebuttal on a topic. When considering the benefits of engaging with the public, it is noticeable how your engagement can build new connections and knowledge on a topic. Getting opinions from people outside your PLN will help you see how they view the topic, and often it will help you get a new understanding of a topic. On the contrary, the risks of engaging with the public can at times outweigh the benefits. When posting content with the public, it is important that the information will not be misinterpreted. Often, when information is misinterpreted by the public, there can be negative feedback given back to the individual from the public.

Public figures in specific need to keep in mind the risks of engaging with the public. As stated by Jody Vance in this week’s podcast, “I am my brand, unlike some people who have to be more cautious” (Vance, 2021). This specific quote tells me how people need to understand their ‘brand’ and understand the importance of being cautious on social media. For public figures, or people in a position of trust, the content you are posting is constantly under a microscope as the content you are sharing should not be intended to offend others. Owning your brand is also important as sharing your opinion on important topics should be kept appropriate and on topic.

How do notable individuals use social media?

Whenever I am using social media, there are always noticeable individuals who use their social media effectively. For example, there are plenty of influencers who pop up on my Facebook and or Instagram on a daily basis that are promoting something or fighting for a notable cause. These people who have been successful public figures are inspiring to me as I myself one day would enjoy being an influencer for the greater good. By using social media in a positive way, people of all ages, races, and gender will support the content you are sharing and you will make an impact on our society.

What are the benefits of being in the public eye and having a PLN?

When being in the public eye in a PLN, there are various benefits. First off, when gaining the trust of the members of your PLN, you will receive positive feedback from the others within the PLN. Some influencers can even get the support of sponsors who will pay them to be a public figure and support their product and or cause. By being in the public eye and having a PLN, it will be noticed that a lot more people will be invading the individual’s privacy as they want to know everything about them. Despite this, a lot of people like being under a microscope and enjoy being a public influencer; I know that I would enjoy a role similar to this.

Building community with online tools provided by the employer can be limiting, what are the perceived restrictions and benefits?

In a workplace, there is always an online community that comes with benefits and restrictions. I know for a fact that at my current workplace, we suggest to our employees that they should refrain from taking photos and or videos in our establishment, especially when they are doing something inappropriate. Our social media rules are not too demanding, but they do in fact require employees not spread a negative message about our establishment. By limiting the amount of social media presence our employees spread about our establishment reassures that our customers will not get a negative message of what we do and who we are.

On the contrary, we do in fact influence employees to spread positive news of Dairy Queen. When they have something positive to say, we actually influence them to spread the news that they received an award within our establishment, or our newest promotions. Along with this, we have a Whatsapp group chat going at both of our stores so our employees hear the latest updates from our managers. Whatsapp also helps our employees talk to each other so they can build a better relationship outside the workplace, or change shifts when they can’t make a shift.

Delivering information in a connected society requires verifiable resources, how to build a PLN to rely on?

Building a reliable PLN is one of the most important things to consider on social media. With that being said, you should always consider where you are getting your information from. Getting information from sources like the news, peer-reviewed articles, and other primary resources is an excellent way to build an educated opinion that can be trusted in a PLN. On the other hand, the information that is often found on social media is not typically accurate. Sources such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc have been proven to not be very reliable as their information is not checked to be accurate. By building a PLN that has reliable information, you first need to be able to trust the others within your PLN. This will develop towards learning vital opinions that can enhance your view on topics.

How do those, who are veteran storytellers, minimize the risk of sharing misinformation?

Making sure that you are not spreading false information is a vital thing for storytellers and everyone to keep in mind. At times, sharing misinformation can be offensive and can ruin the career of individuals. By keeping an eye on where you are learning your information from and doing additional research on that topic can refrain yourself from spreading misinformation. The largest risk of spreading false information is to do with the source. By adding references and showing people exactly where you got your information from, you will be defending your stance and can help avoid being labelled as someone who is spreading false information.

References:

Hirst, M. (2018). Social Journalism and the Gig Economy. Navigating Social Journalism: A Handbook for Media Literacy and Citizen Journalism. Ch. 6. (pp. 142-143). New York, NY: Routledge.

Vance, J. (February 28, 2021). EDCI 338 – JODY VANCE. YouTube. https://youtu.be/dgZOJgJkdyI