Facebook

Facebook has become ingrained in the everyday lives of Internet users worldwide. Journalists are no different. Not only do news media organizations have Facebook pages, but readers can also click Facebook "like" buttons on news stories right from the media organization's website.
Journalists most certainly are using Facebook in the reporting process, and I think this practice in invaluable in the growing Internet community of shared journalistic exploits. Reporters may use Facebook to not only connect with sources but also find story ideas in their respective communities. Facebook, I believe, has naturally evolved into the reporting tool it is today. Just as CNN.com ran live video alongside real-time Facebook status updates during the 2009 presidential inauguration, news organizations can look at as well as broadcast Facebook and Twitter updates so news consumers can see right to the source of people's ideas and opinions.
Ethically, there is of course a gray area for journalists using Facebook. They must decide on a daily basis how much personal information versus professional information to post to their profiles. According to our readings, at least one reporter keeps from posting any personal information on the profile page, thus keeping users from thinking he or she is biased toward any one viewpoint in stories. My uncle, who is a city commissioner, maintains two Facebook accounts: one for political purposes and one for personal purposes. In doing so, he can control who he friends on which account and thus who can see what information. I believe this is also a practice journalists can follow to communicate with family and friends versus sources and story ideas.
My personal definition of social media is a site in which users generate almost 100 percent of the content. Facebook and Twitter, as examples, are merely platforms to which individuals may post thoughts and opinions. Thus, though Facebook may be a great source, it should not be the only source when writing a news story.
Facebook is simply part of the larger Internet community that is constantly changing and growing around online journalism.