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Online Journalism News

Networks closing on Facebook will restrict journalists' access

Posted: 12/05/08 By: Laura Oliver
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Screenshot of Facebook's Brighton and Hove network page

Facebook is to remove its network pages narrowing the potential of the social networking site for news reporters.

The pages, which cover regional networks and groups and organisations wishing to post news, will soon be removed and discontinued in favour of the groups feature, according to a warning to users on the site.

Journalists who use the networks as a source of news and contacts told Journalism.co.uk the closure would mean the loss of a useful newsgathering resource.

"Every journalist needs a network, and Facebook networks are a great way to expand and explore possibilities. It's like a big address book of people you might want to meet when you're doing a story," said freelance journalist Olaf Koens, who uses the networks to make international contacts.

Journalists who use networks to hunt for leads said the move by Facebook marks a further tightening of regulations on the site.

"Facebook is already more closed than the other networking sites, so there’s less opportunity for researching a story than there is on MySpace or Bebo," James Goffin, web editor of Archant Suffolk, told Journalism.co.uk.

Andy Chiles, reporter with The Argus, agreed. He told Journalism.co.uk that reporters from the paper had been encouraged to monitor local networks for news of events and campaigns - a lead from the Brighton and Hove network recently produced a news story on a petition against a new Starbucks in the town centre - but the site's networks had become increasingly closed over the last six months.

Some local newspapers have stared used Facebook to create fan groups for readers as the opportunities for reporters to find leads on the social network are becoming increasingly limited.

"Using it [Facebook] to find and talk to people is often more time consuming than it’s worth," added Ben Johnson, reporter with Newbury Today.

"Facebook has proved useful for news gathering from time to time, we’ll get the occasional story from it, however most of the local networks revolve around businesses (which will usually not speak to the press) or schools (who we’re not allowed to speak to) so it’s very limited in its application."

Without the networks, groups will become increasingly important for news leads, with some hoping the network closure will have a positive impact.

Johnson added that he hoped more readers would be driven to the Newbury Today Facebook group to make it a dedicated feed for the area.

"As long as Facebook keep allowing groups I think most regional journalists will still be able to use Facebook to find loads of stories," Christian Dunn, web editor of the Evening Leader, added.

"Groups are more specific and targeted so they can be a real source of community news.

"It’s an interesting move by Facebook to close the network facility, but I’m sure a company as switched on as them have their reasons and perhaps will offer a solution which will be even better for journalists."