chris bianchi

PowerPoint Presentation

MLS vs. Social Media

Social Media

Colorado Rapids: 11 game losing streak

BioColorado Rapids beat reporter: Chris Bianchi (age 27)Started covering Feb 2012Boston University graduateMeteorologist: full timeBeat reporter: part-timeRapids website: Owned by the MLS

Ethical Issues

Lack of ethical consideration regarding codes-TweetingFiring of Chris on the MLSs behalf (Rapids pushed for his firing)

Stakeholders

Chris BianchiColorado RapidsFans

ArgumentsProNewsworthyBalanced journalismFan frustrationLearning experienceConTeam President Tim Hinchey pushing for firing (betrayal)No PR director: very dysfunctional media

DecisionChris BianchiResponded to tweetStay critical but truthful/accurateMore specific about message he was trying to send to fans/managementTim HincheyHire a PR directorUnderstanding of current team situationDo not take criticism personallyGreat friendship=Loyalty

AftermathChris Bianchi was fired 1 week later (Oct. 15, 2014)Bianchi is a full time meteorologist and covered the rapids part timePublic criticism from fans and Sports Illustrated soccer journalist Grant Wahl backing BianchiKeith Olbermann (1:25)

DiscussionJust how accountable can you hold a journalist for posting on social media?How can we improve the use of social media when covering sports?Should social media be filtered?

http://www.burgundywave.com/2014/10/22/7038643/keith-olbermann-tim-hinchey-worst-person-in-world

http://screamer.deadspin.com/former-colorado-rapids-reporter-team-pushed-to-get-me-1647752540https://twitter.com/rapids_newshttp://www.mlssoccer.com/author/Chris-BianchiPhone Interview with Chris Bianchi (March 20,2015)

Sources