Twitter Part Deux: Revenge of the Tweet

Earlier in my blog, I wrote a post how athletes need to be careful with how they handle Twitter. For those who don't know, Twitter allows for a person to post (in 140 words or less) anything at any given time from well, anywhere they have an Internet connection. As the popularity of Twitter increases, more and more people are finding themselves on the social networking site.

This also includes journalists. Twitter allows for instant breaking news stories to circulate around the Internet in the blink of an eye. With the ever popular "Trend List" on the side bar, people can click on a word and get every status that is associated with it. In a sense, journalists can tweet their own stories in hopes of gaining a broader audience. Another good thing about Twitter is the ability to network. By clicking one button, person 'A' can "follow" person 'B' which allows for 'A' to then keep up on everything 'B' tweets. Re-tweeting is also essential in networking on Twitter and vital to helping journalists get their message or story across.

However, there is also a danger in posting on Twitter. Journalists, especially those with a large contingent of followers, usually find themselves re-tweeted helping pass along their message to an even greater number of people on the social networking site. The danger in that is with 140 words or less, those journalists better be sure what they're saying is correct. Perhaps that's the most difficult thing about Twitter, knowing who to trust.

I tend to follow sports writers because I'd like to be updated on current news events. Generally, they are the same people who only tweet about their specialty in regards to whatever sport it is they cover. If journalists wants to use Twitter, they have to be responsible about what they post while trying to build that relationship of trust with their "followers." It's hard to say where to go in terms of trying to reach readers who don't know the difference between a good and a bad tweets. I'd like to think it's a mix of the journalists (for not posting false or wrong information) and the reader (for double-checking if something sounds wrong).

Maybe a checks and balancing system would work? In a way, Twitter would be a good outlet because it does allow for a person to reply to another's tweet, even if they aren't "following" them. At some point, you'd assume that person would check to see what types of responses they are getting and perhaps notice if they'd made a mistake with someone catching it.

With that said, it is difficult to draw the line between breaking-news stories and hearsay/gossip. One notable example was the shocking death of Michael Jackson. While TMZ reported it, many people on Twitter were still confused as to whether it were true or not. They re-tweeted it but also stated their doubt alongside. Twitter is a good medium for voicing opinion and sharing news but at the end of the day, it's up to a journalist to use their best judgment on what to post.

Bitch Please: The Tweet Life...

When I go on Twitter, it's mostly for shameless self-promotion.

Sometimes, it's even to spy on my younger sisters. Occasionally, I'm curious to see what sports columnist Bill Simmons has to say. Or even my current UI professor Dave Schwartz. Rarely do I find myself following celebrities or athletes.

On the other end, when professional athletes go on Twitter -- well, it's also for shameless self-promotion.

But here's the difference. When they tweet, it only seems to bring bad things. It leads to idiotic posts causing to suspensions or humiliation. Tweets that can be taken down, but not entirely removed from the minds of many followers who have likely taken a screen shot of such foolish rants.

Don't get me wrong, as a journalist, I appreciate freedom of speech. But with some athletes nowadays, they need to learn to either smarter up or just stay away from twitter in general.

In 140 words or less, athletes find themselves being able to express their opinion before, during, or after a game, just as long as they have their blackberry in hand. It could be at halftime or between innings. If a player really wanted, all they would need to do is being able to find their phone and bam, put up a new tweet in seconds for all their followers to see.

But is that really the best thing for sports?

Back in April, San Francisco giants closer Brian Wilson found himself embroiled in a little controversy after tweeting while on a road trip in Arizona. After implying he was out at a club, he tweeted:

"Scottsdale is fun. The over aggressive males are not. Does every dude think they can fight? They sure have some confident mouths out here!"

Awesome, right? Except well, the very next night, Wilson blew the save with a 4-1 lead and took the loss as the Giants lost 5-4.

Let me make clear, there isn’t any wrong with having a twitter but if you're going to be staying out late partying and dealing with some "over aggressive males" perhaps its best not to tweet at that very moment? If that were Red Sox pitcher Jonathan Papelbon, I'd be pretty livid. I can't speak for all Giants fans, but I bet their reaction was on a similar level.

Interestingly enough, Wilson had a simple solution. He first claimed his tweets were "made up stories to reflect his humor" before proceeding to actually delete his twitter account. Perhaps more athletes should follow suit?

More recently, Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson has come under fire for criticizing his own head coach through none other than (surprise!) twitter. According to ESPN:

"The tweets were posted to the "Toonicon" account, an online alias the Star reported Johnson has said is his. The account includes a link to Johnson's personal Web site. Chiefs spokesman Bob Moore said the team could not verify that is Johnson's account.

The Twitter remarks were posted after San Diego routed the Chiefs (1-6).

One tweet read: "My father got more creditentials than most of these pro coaches." That was followed by: "My father played for the coach from "rememeber the titans". Our coach played golf. My father played for redskins briefley. Our coach. Nuthn."

Johnson's lack of thought doesn't surprise me. In fact, it really shouldn't surprise anyone. But then again, does anyone really care what he has to say? Going 1-6 to start a season in undoubtedly frustrating, but to rip on first-year head coach Todd Haley seems not only inappropriate but also unfair.

While Twitter is a social networking medium, athletes should be careful of what they tweet. Much like Facebook and every possible warning to my generation about putting up photos, I heed the same advice to athletes and their choice of 140 words or less.

Can Twitter be used for self-promotion? Absolutely. The problem is for athletes to learn how not to make fools of themselves such as Wilson and Johnson. It's great for fan interaction but to post personal details or vent your own frustration with a team that's paying you millions upon million of dollars to play a game? That's not right on any level. If you're going to suddenly join in on the Twitter-craze than do so. But be responsible about what you post and responsible enough to handle the criticism you'll get if you're not.

*Photo from www.walkoffwalk.com