The Risks, and Rewards, of Social Media for Newspapers

Joe Strupp of EditorandPublisher.com writes that, for most newspapers, Facebook and Twitter have become the primary social-media outlets. The Post boasts eight official Twitter accounts, while its Facebook network spans 16 different memberships ' including one for former employees.

The New York Times, however, is perhaps the most active social-networking newspaper. Its main Twitter account, which notes nearly every story posted on its main site, surpassed one million followers in June; its Facebook page boasts about 460,000 fans. In late May the Grey Lady appointed its first social media editor, veteran newswoman Jennifer Preston. While some staffers worried she was going to be something of a Twitter and Facebook cop, Preston says her job is to coordinate all uses of social media.

How do you think that social media fits in with the goals of a newspaper? Is it important for newspapers to embrace social media? We'd like to hear your thoughts.