ESPN became the latest media organization to issue an update of its guidelines for the use of social networks and, much like those of other industry representatives — including The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, and Reuters — much of it is simply common sense.

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The Associated Press followed up on last week’s reminder to its editorial staff to avoid sharing opinions via social media with an updated set of social media guidelines.Some highlights from the new AP guidelines:

• All AP journalists are encouraged to have accounts on social networking sites. These sites are now an integral part of everyday life for millions of people around the world. They have become an essential tool for AP reporters to gather news and share links to our published [...]

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We've written before about the double-edged sword of social media. On the one hand it can boost profiles and raise revenue, on the other it can get a lot of people in hot-water if someone steps even a little bit out of line.From a journalistic perspective, social media is also emerging as an important tool for hacks to engage and network with the wider community. And the BBC has today published its social media guidelines for its staff working in news.The guidelines are divided into three [...]

Read More: BBC publishes its social media guidelines for journalists