Are Reporters Looking for You on Facebook?

Sometimes reporters request submissions via Facebook.

The answer is...maybe.

There are several media outlets that have Facebook pages now, including the Associated Press (AP), Good Morning America and my former newspaper, The Springfield News-Sun. Ditto for Twitter feeds, if you care to do a search for your favorite media outlets and/or programs.

There are instances where outlets look for sources and stories via social media such as Facebook and Twitter. As an example, if someone dies and a Facebook group springs up in their memory, reporters have been known to go there for quotes or to find people who knew the person to interview.

Reporters will also post questions about certain subjects if they want feedback for their story. "Have you been affected by high gas prices and  you're unemployed? Email us at reporter@yournews.com." Or something similar on Twitter, in 140 characters of course.

The answer to the question is that yes, you could use Facebook, Twitter and other social media to get your story out there -- If you have what they're looking for.

Bridgette Outten is a journalist and media consultant with The Write Vision Group, Inc. With a background in print media, she has written thousands of articles for newspapers and online publications. At The Write Vision Group, Bridgette consults with nonprofits and small businesses about how to get their programs and efforts in the news. Meanwhile, she blogs on all things journalism.