Journalists working at Johnston Press-owned newspapers have been blocked from accessing the social networking site Facebook, it has been reported.

Facebook has become an important resource for many newspapers, both a source of stories and as a marketing tool.

Among the titles that has its own Facebook page is the Yorkshire Evening Post.

But according to an internal company memo now circulating in the Scottish media, JP has now ruled that anyone wanting to visit the site will require permission from their line manager.

The memo reportedly states: “A recent review has revealed that over 50pc of Johnston Press’ outward internet traffic is to the social networking site, Facebook. The group has therefore decided….to block the site.

“Journalists who require access should seek approval from their departmental head, who should contact the Group Helpdesk to have the permission restored.”

The company has refused to comment on the reports.

Comments

EdnaO’Buyin (03/07/2009 09:09:05)
Most JP titles now have Facebook pages, thanks to their net savvy employees. But that’s typical JP – always bringing up the rear. Most other papers also have a Twitter feed. JP was last to jump on the web bandwagon and now it’s been forced onto it, it’s still getting it wrong.

Web Man (03/07/2009 09:13:27)
I don’t see what benefit Facebook pages or Twitter feeds are to newspapers. If you’ve got a strong enough website then you shouldn’t need gimmicks like these.

hack (03/07/2009 10:16:43)
It wasn’t THAT long ago when someone would have said “if you’ve got stong enough papers you shouldn’t need gimmicks like websites” Twitter and Facebook are good tools just like the web

slacker (03/07/2009 10:40:59)
By that rationale Web Man I assume you don’t see the need for newspaper bills, email alerts or text bulletins… Journalists need to keep in touch with their communities, wherever they are, whether they are in the pub or using social networking tools on the web. Facebook and Twitter are quick convenient online tools, which help journalists gather content, or ask a question of a wider audience, and all at the touch of a button… To ban journalists from using Facebook is absurd.

Michael (03/07/2009 11:14:22)
Slacker, it seems to me that you are expecting reporters, whose job it is to get out there and find the stories, to instead spend all of their time monitoring websites like Facebook and Twitter on the thousand to one chance they may stumble across a story. Put reporters’ email contact details in the newspaper so people can contact them direct, and then get reporters to get out into their patch and meet people – it’s what they are supposed to do. So for goodness sake stop getting so infatuated with electronic alternatives to the simple art of talking to people.

hack (03/07/2009 11:19:28)
Exactly. Get out and look in library noticeboards…..who needs all these new-fangled inventions like computers and telephones. Ahh the good old days…….

slacker (03/07/2009 11:20:56)
Hi Michael, as I pointed out Facebook and Twitter are ‘quick’ and ‘convenient’ online tools which should leave reporters plenty of time to get out on their patch – something I’m a big believer in! I don’t think anybody is infatuated with the web – except for the socially inept who inhabit some online forums – and I’m sure you would agree that journalists should use all the communication tools at their disposal.

hilary (03/07/2009 11:38:27)
All very serious, these comments – but that’s not what this is about. I doubt that people were using Facebook for research. This is Johnston Press being mean again – their staff can’t take proper lunch breaks, but now they’re not even allowed to chat to their mates while they’re eating their butties at their desks

carl (03/07/2009 12:00:15)
I can still access it so not sure how true this is

Darren (03/07/2009 14:58:42)
If they’ve done this because its a proven security risk, then I guess its fair enough.
If however they’ve done it because they don’t trust their staff to use their time productively then they are treating them like children.
Surely journalists should have access to any website thats a valid news gathering resource without restriction, unless there is a proven security risk flagged up by their censoring software.

JP Grind (03/07/2009 15:30:48)
Typica JP policies churned out by people who don’t know what a byline or nib is – only what a pound sign is.
I mean with a stripped-down workforce (thanks to…yep JP) I have all the time in the world to use Facebook to check up on my mates and parties. Forget the deadlines we’re on Facebook all the time for fun!!! Nice onw!!!!

Unhappysnapper (03/07/2009 16:04:32)
The reason they have done this is to stop staff using Facebook and other similar sites when they should be working. It’s not just JP, other business have done the same thing. Typical over-zealous office management if you ask me. No one’s allowed to have fun at work anymore!

FAST WOMAN (03/07/2009 16:21:54)
Not surprised Facebook is banned.
Already banned in many offices, not just JP: enough staff to do proper investigative journalism or follow-up leads;software needed to do the job properly; face-to-face conversations with subs (they’re many miles away in the news factory; anything that might cost more than 50p… oh bored with this….could take all day…. off to Facebook!

Alan Kania (03/07/2009 17:02:04)
Some of the ridiculous comments comparing Facebook with checking a library notice board prompts this response. Instead of relying on Facebook, Tweets, etc. — how about face-to-face development of your contacts. There used to be a person called a Beat Reporter who would spend time developing a relationship with the people he or she covered — city council members, police and fire personnel, business owners. Once you developed a good relationship with these people (they didn’t have to like what your wrote, but as long as it was fair and accurate, your relationship was respected). Journalists are getting too caught up in speculation rather than developing sources. Facebook, Tweets, etc. are fads — not good journalism.

Web Man (03/07/2009 17:23:40)
Slacker, if you think Facebook and Twitter are good tools then give me just one example of how a newspaper having its own Facebook page has actually paid off. Show me how it brings in extra audience for the newspaper’s own website, how it generates good stories or how it brings in money. If newspapers using Facebook does any of these things then maybe I’ll be persuaded.

journo (03/07/2009 18:18:47)
I imagine this has everythung to do with stopping journalists wasting valuable time which could be being spent churning out press releases…
I don’t know which newsrooms some people work in but where I am there is no time to develop contacts face to face.
Also, twitter et al are good ways if signposting readers TO the newspaper, not lazy research tools.

charlie roberts (06/07/2009 12:53:24)
what’s all this fuss about blogs, twitters, and the web. Ask someone what percentage of profit (not income) for a weekly paper comes from the web.
I hear from a pal its only a quid in every 100- if that’s wrong I am sure someone can enlighten us all.
Weekly and regional newspaper groups are getting out of the web what they put into it in terms of EXTRA staff to do it properly.
Almost nothing.

WageSlave (06/07/2009 17:53:45)
At least they can’t stop us from looking for other jobs online. Thanks heavens for small mercies!

21st Century Spam (24/09/2009 11:25:38)
if an aspect of joining fb and twitt are about raising brand profile and directing online users to the websites should it be something for advertising teams to utilise as much as editorial? Either way using fb to communicate with the younger community members as an online content/co
ntacts tool is great for those who want to try. The ban doesn’t work anyway as I was on fb the other day. In my lunch hour of course.