Mastodawn

SergeEU Dec 18, 2022

A lot of people are puzzling over why the major news outlets aren't simply pulling out of Twitter.

I can think of a few reasons. But the first is that's kind of anathema to what journalists do. Getting kicked of the stadium? Okay. But giving up a ringside seat? Hrm.

I've never reported from anything close to resembling a war zone, but typically news organizations view those locations as incredibly important to be on the inside of, so that they can tell the rest of the world what's really going on inside.

And Twitter right now is more of a war zone that it's ever been.

Not trying to justify feeding the beast. I know I won't be anymore. I'm still sort of in the process of processing into words how to describe everything I'm trying clumsily to say.

But I just wanted to share that what may seem like a no-brainer decision for many is deeply conflicting for me, and no doubt a great many of my colleagues.

Sinner BOFH Dec 18, 2022

@briankrebs mira’t això @dario

Dario Castañé 🏴‍☠️⁂Dec 18, 2022

@Sinner Sí, els periodistes solen ser presents als llocs més impensables, precisament per informar.

Quan els periodistes marxin és perquè Musk deixa de ser notícia.

Mrs Mouse at work Dec 18, 2022

@briankrebs So there are two reasons to be there:
1) to be at ground zero to report
2) to sling copy

Bostonias Pangman

@briankrebs I think most of us are just there to watch how it burns down, so it’s not surprising to me that journalists are fighting for their Twitter lives and media outlets are still there. I appreciate them still covering it accurately in the face of being exiled.

FiveAcres Dec 18, 2022

@briankrebs Thank you. I know that I am still following (via Nitter) a few people including Aaron Rupar. It's good to have a perspective on why he might be staying.

Overwhelmedhippie Dec 18, 2022

@briankrebs Musk can't be trusted. Twitter can't be trusted. Tweets can't be trusted.
But, you do you.

Mortimer Peabody Aloysious III Dec 18, 2022

@viccimn @briankrebs his argument is valid. There are journalists on all the cesspool aps. They are usually passive and observe the #shit going on because usually they are the litmus for major events or upheaval. 4chan, 8chan, truth, reddit, you name it. There are journalist observing these counter cultures. They offer better understanding.

Overwhelmedhippie Dec 18, 2022

@giraffe_gorilla I get that and I thought about it. I think if you're a journalist just observing what's going on, and you publish your findings on legitimate sites, that's one thing. But, if you publish anything on that site, it mustn't be considered legitimate by the public. Twitter is 💯corrupt now.

Mortimer Peabody Aloysious III Dec 18, 2022

@viccimn unfortunately it's not black and white. While you and I see it as a loss, the critical mass and network effect means that the eye balls are still there. News is important to the public, and if there is still a sizeable public there, then posting there is important as well.

Overwhelmedhippie Dec 18, 2022

@giraffe_gorilla We can agree to disagree.

Mortimer Peabody Aloysious III Dec 19, 2022

@viccimn touche.

JD Dec 18, 2022

@viccimn @briankrebs I’d be concerned about what he’s doing in the background with information, DM’s, etc.

Six Stringer Dec 18, 2022

@jag0325 @viccimn @briankrebs That’s why I quit altogether.

Overwhelmedhippie Dec 18, 2022

@jag0325 Exactly.

Hammancheez Dec 18, 2022

@briankrebs journalists gotta go where the readers are and there’s still an assload of readers there

@briankrebs I have a very simple motive: Feindbeobachtung.

Russell Savory Dec 18, 2022

@clipperchip @briankrebs Germans have a word for everything.

@Rwsavory @briankrebs It's because we can make compound words by combining pretty much whatever other words we want.

Alicem Dec 18, 2022

@briankrebs been sorta thinking about that...

So, keep their account to report, but don't post.

I'm sure they have accounts in TS, gab, telegram... but they post in twitter. Stop posting in Twitter and report elsewhere.

Matthew Rodier Dec 18, 2022

@briankrebs I might agree with you if they weren’t pumping out links to stories at the same rate they always did. No reason to gin up ideological reasons for them to stay. They need the engagement.

Andrew Bennett Dec 18, 2022

@briankrebs @matthewrodier
Agreed. There is absolutely no need to post anything there to report on what is going on there.

They don’t even have to keep their primary account active to merely read Twitter when they can just create a new “burner” account to watch and report anonymously.

No, there are other factors at work here and I’m surprised there hasn’t been better reporting on the incentives for reporters and for media companies to stay.

Andrew Bennett Dec 18, 2022

@briankrebs @matthewrodier My assumption is that there are big financial incentives to continue to participate on Twitter.

What I don’t understand is what is holding back papers like NYT and WaPo from ALSO having a presence here, on Mastodon.

Is it merely a temporary technical issue related to their Content Management Systems not yet being able to interact with Mastodon? Or are there, again, financial disincentives?

Lorry Dec 18, 2022

@briankrebs It may do many of them good to learn to write stories that aren't just scrapbooks of people's tweets with an introduction.

Corey Cradle Dec 18, 2022

@briankrebs
Ah...now this isn't a take I fully considered but does seem relevant.

Think it would be good if the networks would pick a few "war correspondents" to leave behind and evacuate everyone else to safety.

NYC Antifa Dec 18, 2022

@briankrebs if major media orgs would close up shop on twitter due to the way their journalists are being treated by the thin-skinned billionaire, the suspensions would stop. instead, they're backroom dealing and telling the reporters to placate musk. and comparing a social media app to a war zone is risible.

Giraffe Slava 🇺🇸🇺🇦Dec 18, 2022

@briankrebs I know it’s not easy but we must metaphorically burn that place to the ground now. It’s a moral imperative.

Miles Offit... 🇨🇦🇪🇺🇺🇦Dec 18, 2022

@briankrebs Thank you, valid points. But in this case, journalists that accept corrupt terms in exchange for access are irreparably soiling their work, and the work of their colleagues.

@briankrebs Sure if the platform is the news, staying involved is important, but in parallel, these media outlets should not be operating under a regime that has shown they will censor what the editors consider legitimate journalism. It's self-serving and self-defeating all at once. Musk only has the power we give him, let's stop giving him that power.

Brandon Stahl Dec 18, 2022

@briankrebs if only many of the journalists on Twitter actually acted that way — as reporting from a war zone. Instead, many of the ones I still see are playing “replace the word” games, tweeting about sporting events, movies, pop culture etc.

Jeff C. 🇺🇦🇬🇱Dec 18, 2022

@briankrebs I think it’s less about leaving Twitter than dipping a toe in an alternative (ideally uncontrolled by Musk-like VC figures) so that — when it imploded or they get banned — they have a place to speak freely.

Right now, putting all eggs in Twitter is a risk.

manateacake Dec 18, 2022

@briankrebs Thanks for that insight, which is helpful. But unlike reporting from a war zone or ringside seats, you could report about what's happening on Twitter w/o actually having an account and creating content there, right? Sports reporters need access to stadiums/arenas, if the team then demands only positive coverage, what then? Further, regular ppl are on Twitter because journalists are there, meaning you are both reporting on the story and part of it, too.

Mastodon Migration Dec 18, 2022

@briankrebs This perfectly describes the leverage that Twitter has over influencers. The problem is that Musk is actively using this leverage to shape their content. If the inside story is inaccurate because it is only the story that is allowed passed the censor, it is counterproductive.

#twittermigration

BJC860 Dec 18, 2022

Personally, I get your point, but his would make more sense, if they were just reporting on the Twitter stuff going on. But they're not. It's just business as usual right now for them all.

I mean, NBC even punished Ben Collins for accurately reporting on the actual Twitter stuff.

I'm not really surprised, but IMO it's still pretty craven and cowardly.

Laurie Brunner Dec 18, 2022

@briankrebs I don’t think the war analogy is accurate. To use your analogy as a springboard, though, it’s more like Twitter is a room in which journalists congregate to report on war. And, right now, Elon Musk is assassinating journalists who enter the room. But instead of finding a new, safer place for their journalists to report on war without being assassinated, media companies keep paying rent on the room and keeps sending journalists in there.

Seems unnecessary to me.

Remmy Lee Dec 18, 2022

Let's not sugarcoat it. It's a dependent ecosystem. Twitter provides exposure and clickthrough. In return they make ad revenue from followers coming to see posts.

That was a balanced system for a company that relied on the ad dollars to continue operating. Twitter could shut down tomorrow however and Elon Musk would still be a multi-billionaire.

The balance is broken and he has full control over what does and does not get exposure now. Everyone is at his mercy.

TransitBiker Dec 18, 2022

@briankrebs twitter is not a war zone. It’s a hate speech platform run by a nazi. Going forward I call guilt by association. That’s my personal take, having been watching from the outside since leaving for good recently.

Hyoun Park Dec 18, 2022

@briankrebs I get why journalists can’t leave: Twitter both is the story and is still the platform where many real-time alerts happen: geopolitical strife, weather, “did you hear that?” It’s rare to see a multibillion dollar platform with real global reach fall apart so fast.

But providing revenue to a platform actively banning your workers & not diversifying is not a great idea because “stop hitting yourself” is never advice you should be hearing.

kkeller Dec 18, 2022

@briankrebs it is more like reporting...as a POW, where the captors are able to shape your message any way they like, or stop the message from getting out at all.

But the captors have left the prison doors wide open. Journalists should use that door, because no "honest" journalism can occur while in captivity.

David Dec 18, 2022

@briankrebs The only winning move is not to play.

LawrencesView has moved!Dec 18, 2022

@briankrebs I think a more accurate analogy would be paying Putin to be a war correspondent in Ukraine. Reporters can observe on tw*tter and report elsewhere - otherwise they are providing content. Media outlets can stop paying advertising or other fees. I appreciate it that you are on an alternative platform in addition to that other place, and we need to see media at least doing this in mass so platforms are established outside of tw*tter. I would say the same of governments, too.

LawrencesView has moved!Dec 18, 2022

@briankrebs And please let me reiterate that I appreciate you are on this platform to have the discussion with!

DeeVee Dec 18, 2022

@briankrebs I’m glad there are people hanging around to report on that dumpster fire. Until now, I’ve been watching from Reddit. I guess I’ll watch from here now. :)

Don Cruse Dec 18, 2022

@briankrebs What I'd ask is whether the major news outlets also need to keep a Twitter share button and tracking pixel on their websites.

(I'll leave as an exercise for the reader how the "Twitter as war zone" metaphor might apply to tracking pixels.)

Christina Davis Dec 18, 2022

@briankrebs Problem is even by lurking on Twitter you are Twitter's product - the monetized audience. That's what bothers me about Twitter. You are benefiting the regime by just logging in and viewing a Tweet.

Dollar Store Publius Dec 18, 2022

@briankrebs Twitter is finished. These journalists are standing on the deck of the Titanic, the center of the ship just buckled, and the water is rushing in. Some people are still listening to the band play and haven't realized it yet.

Nancy M Ruff Dec 18, 2022

@briankrebs Maintaining access at all costs and reporting from the inside are two different things. American media does the former; true journalists do the latter.

Jim Neal Dec 18, 2022

@briankrebs Well-articulated. I’d add there is a difference between reporting about a war and publishing said report on an alt platform

“G” 🇨🇦 🇵🇸 🇱🇧Dec 18, 2022

@briankrebs
I judge no one for wanting to stay on Twitter.

I do judge those who pay money to be on Twitter, be it advertisers or Twitter Blue subscribers.

There are so many less toxic places to spend money.

Carrie Is Busy Dec 18, 2022

@briankrebs
Given that many tweets can be viewed without an account, there’s not much reason to maintain an account, if the point is to view/analyze/report on what is happening.

Certainly no reason to give melonhusk a sense of having leverage over banned journalists by them asking for account restoration. It’s creating content & feeding his narcissism.

Mikko Alasaarela Dec 18, 2022

@briankrebs good to see you here, and hope you continue to engage with the community!

Rev. Watt deFalk, O.C.D.Dec 18, 2022

@briankrebs
I think it's fucked up to treat a cesspool of hate & ignorance like the Twit-iverse as some vital source of mass opinion.

JonKramer, CIS-HET Dec 18, 2022

@briankrebs , reports report from the warzone, but deliver to living rooms. Ted Koppel broadcast from Vietnam, but we saw those reports here. Yes, the bird is vietnam in the 1960s, and everywhere else is where sane people should be.

Chris Lantz Dec 18, 2022

@briankrebs honest question: can you effectively report on the dumpster fire that is Twitter while not participating in using the platform?

Find of like reporting on the World Cup without actually playing in the game…

Steven Hilton Dec 18, 2022

@briankrebs fair point. But they could join the #fediverse and still be on Twitter.

Jake Dec 18, 2022

@briankrebs For what it's worth, we're beating Elon at his own game. He bought Twitter and is saying doing whatever he wants. If you own the platform, who is going to de-platform you? With Mastodon, we own the platform. You can moderate your own content. If I decide I don't want to have certain things available to myself, I can make the decision and no one else will make that for me.

Thanks for joining the herd!

Michael Downey 🧢Dec 18, 2022

Only people who have never been in a war would dare compare a website to a war zone.

JFC.

Richard Rathe Dec 18, 2022

I agree up to a point…

There is always a danger that "media" in general will be used to shape the narrative. Journalists should stay on terms of good journalism, but not if they are being manipulated/censored. Don't you think?

GuitarGirl Dec 18, 2022

@briankrebs The actual reason is always money/promotion.
I can’t imagine how anyone justifies staying in good conscience. It’s like Hitler just took over and you all are struggling with how to respond.

Mrunal Sabnis Dec 18, 2022

@briankrebs No, they don’t have to give up Twitter. They can start participating on Mastodon or Post. They could start their own servers and use it as a platform for their own posts and their journalists. They could do all that while still being on Twitter.