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AP warns staff about tweeting opinions on news stories

Tom Kent's memo is clear: Tweeting opinions on issues in the news is a definite no-no.  Tom Kent's memo is clear: Tweeting opinions on issues in the news is a definite no-no. The Associated Press deputy managing editor for standards and production, recently reminded reporters of the company's ethical standards after journalists tweeted opinions about…

Tom Kent's memo is clear: Tweeting opinions on issues in the news is a definite no-no.
 

Tom Kent's memo is clear: Tweeting opinions on issues in the news is a definite no-no. The Associated Press deputy managing editor for standards and production, recently reminded reporters of the company's ethical standards after journalists tweeted opinions about the Casey Anthony trial and New York Senate vote on gay marriage.

"These posts undermine the credibility of our colleagues who have been working so hard to assure balanced and unbiased coverage of these issues," he writes, "Social networks, however we may configure our accounts or select our friends, should be considered a public forum. AP staffers should not make postings there that amount to personal opinions on contentious public issues."

If they do, he adds, it could lead to disciplinary action. You can fill in the blanks on that one.

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