When ESPN announced its new social media policy on Thursday, many worried how it would change the way the network and its employees breaks sports news.
One particular section that drew some initial ire is one that explained in no uncertain terms that ESPN employees should not “break” news first on Twitter. Basically, if something is confirmed by a reporter, the network doesn’t want them sharing that information with outside companies before the network can maximize its reach.
An overwhelming amount of sports fans get their news (and death threats from eggs) from the social media network, though, and many wondered if employees like Adrian Wojnarowski would no longer be allowed to lob his patented ‘Woj Bombs’ out into the ether on trade deadline or free agency days.
https://twitter.com/ryanwmcdonald/status/926165889224884224
But it was quickly pointed out by others, most notably Sports Business Journal‘s John Ourand, that this part of the social media policy isn’t new.
ESPN's 'No Breaking News on Twitter' policy has not changed since 2011. New guidelines won't affect Woj/Schefter. https://t.co/l2xWv1p0Ri https://t.co/I5x15rzjRE
— John Ourand (@Ourand_Puck) November 2, 2017
This actually makes sense when you think about it, because often full stories soon follow the Woj or Schefter bombs the two reporters are known to lob on Sports Twitter. That suggests the stories are submitted and being edited when the reporters are sharing their information on Twitter, so they’re technically not “breaking” this news with the social network.
Either that, or Adrian Wojnarowski is an incredible typist. That’s possible, too.
One notable change from the policy does regard making political statements, which something ESPN has had to deal with quite a bit over the last year. According to Awful Announcing, the new policy attempts to keep opinions to a minimum on social media.
+ Writers, reporters, producers and editors directly involved in “hard” news reporting, investigative or enterprise assignments and related coverage should refrain in any public-facing forum from taking positions on political or social issues, candidates or office holders.
Basically, the new rule says that if you gather news, you should refrain from sharing opinions about sensitive subjects. There are also new guidelines for commentary on the four-letter, which I’m sure will be met with some criticism internally. How much of that we see on social media, though, will probably be minimal.
