Social networks in the professional activity of a journalist: a practical aspect

The study is devoted to the study of the activities of journalists associated with the use of social communication channels in media practice. Media specialists from regional media spoke about the use of social networks and instant messengers as a source of newsbreaks, broadcasting content and a platform for interacting with the audience. Materials of a study conducted by the method of informal interviews with journalists as part of a qualitative strategy in 2021–2023 were used. The stages of a journalist's work with information from social networks are studied: monitoring, searching for the primary source, interaction with authors, fact-checking, confirmation of information. The features of the work of a journalist with social networking sites as a monitoring and search for new topical topics and opinions are revealed, as well as an algorithm for the work of a media specialist with such a unique source of information as social networks. The research material is systematized and divided into thematic blocks, which reflects the logic of the interviews and the structure of the study. In conclusion, the main principles of the work of a journalist in social networks and with social networks are formulated, which are the basic professional and ethical guidelines for activity.