Tony Russell

Founder of Content Creators. Veteran television news reporter, freelance journalist/photojournalist, stage manager, utility and runner for ESPN, SEC Network and CBS Sports.

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Recently, I was interviewed by a graduate student at my alma mater about the changing social media landscape in journalism.

One of the biggest things I stress as a journalist is being human.

As local reporters we need to be interacting and engaging our viewers on our social media platforms–I think that builds trust with our community.

Q: What are some of the positives to that instantaneous feedback from viewers?

A: Social media has helped the news media industry to be a little more empathetic. If people feel like we’re glorifying an incident or a certain issue or sensationalizing something, that two-way conversation lets people say those things. Sometimes that feedback helps us to shape our stories in a good, sensitive, thoughtful way. In difficult stories that hit close to home for people, I watch social media to see if we’re being sensitive and respectful.

READ THE STORY HERE: Social media fosters “empathy” in journalists

 

 

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While working for the E.W. Scripps Company at KJRH-TV, I was selected to deploy for the company’s “jump team”.

During Hurricane Irma, I was stationed with Scripps-owned WFTX-TV Fort Myers / Naples.

As a result of my years worth of severe weather chasing on Southern Plains, I found hurricane coverage to be an entirely new challenge.

After Hurricane Irma made landfall, I was dispatched to report on the damage on Marco Island.

While on Marco Island, I ran into NBC News Correspondent Kerry Sanders on the beach.

Sanders already worked to save one baby dolphin washed up on shore.