Last fall, The Washington Post came out with one of the first Facebook social news apps using new technology. It brings stories from the Post, as well as partners The Associated Press, Reuters, Mashable and SB Nation, into Facebook. Much like the WSJ Social app, Washington Post Social Reader gives users stories personalized by what friends have liked and read; Facebook users read the stories without ever leaving Facebook.com.
What do you think of a big news media outlet having a greater presence on social media through this method?
How do you feel about the social reader? Is it to more information about you that friends shouldn't know, or will it get friends interested in reading the articles you read?
http://www.poynter.org/latest-news/mediawire/146991/washington-posts-social-news-facebook-app-includes-ap-reuters-mashable-sb-nation/
I really enjoy the social reader and I think it is another way for big news media outlets to stay connected with news consumers and keep up with media trends. With social media playing such a large role in today's society, it only makes sense for news outlets to want to get involved. I think the social reader can help generate discussion on news articles and helps to further spread the news. Even more, it provides another way to see what people are interested in reading and sharing.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of social reader except that I don't like everyone being able to see what I read! I would be afraid to click freely on the internet out of fear that the random article I was clicking would somehow be linked to the Washington Post and the 12 puppy stories I read this week would all show up on my facebook. It would be too stressful for me to consider whether or not I want my mom to see that I am reading this article before I click it. Maybe it's weird that I feel reading is personal. Am I the only one?
ReplyDeleteI think it was inevitable that news organizations were going to try to harness the power of facebook. A lot of people find out about important news stories on facebook through people's status updates and comments. I know that when I was abroad last spring when Bin Laden was killed, I hadn't been keeping up with American news sites and almost right after it was announced that he was dead I found out about it on facebook. News organizations realize this happens a lot and I think social reader is a smart way for them to attract readers and spread news on their own terms. I do agree, however, with the comment above. They give you the option to hide what articles you read but still a lot of people don't want to give these social readers access to their profiles. I think it would've have been much smarter on their part to include stricter privacy options.
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