How social media has changed the news conference

1. Carmi

   I’m guessing it’s also made the press conference somewhat irrelevant: while the reporters and sources bounce their inane Q&A back and forth, the story’s already out there in social medialand. Why press conferences and press releases even exist in this day and age is absolutely beyond me.

   July 18, 2013
2. Mark A. Rayner

   There are some legitimate uses of them, particularly if the institution holding the news conference is trying to control the release of the news in some way — which is getting harder and harder to do. When I was working as a journalist, I always kind of doubted their value.

   July 18, 2013
3. Carmi

   I think you’ve hit the nail on the proverbial head, Mark. The entire notion of control has been turned on its ear by the pervasive spread of social media and the resulting evolution of communications-based culture. It’s somewhat quaint to assume any message can be controlled in any way. In reality, strategists’ time and energy would be better spent figuring out how to ride the wave as best they can.

   July 20, 2013
4. Mark A. Rayner

   I agree, though I suspect the TV people still like to have some visual, so if you think you’re going to get coverage from them, that might be a reason to do it.

   July 22, 2013

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