The News Reporting Process via Facebook Live on THE REPORTERS Facebook Fanpage

Abstract

        This research investigated the identity and process of reporting news through Facebook Live by THE REPORTERS, a media/news company. Qualitative research was done with data gathered by observation and in-depth interviews with six key informants, including the founder Thapanee Eadsrichai, news editor, Facebook fanpage administrator (admin), and field reporters.

        Results were that THE REPORTERS primarily used Facebook Live to transmit real news reporting from real field, as its slogan purports. Its news reporting identity was created by Thapanee Eadsrichai, a journalist noted for live reporting and human rights news coverage. This personal identity was transformed into a corporate persona expressed by field reporters conveying news by Facebook Live, including a human rights news category; serving as a medium for mediating inter-party conflicts; and using semi-formal news reporting principles blending traditional television and social media conventions.

        For the reporting news process on Facebook Live, Thapanee Eadsrichai first evaluated the news item before assigning a field reporter to visit the location and report on, write about, and capture news by photographic imagery or videoclip. One reporter must visit each site to report on news by using a smartphone as principal device. THE REPORTERS’ field journalists are distinguished by an understanding of human rights as well as issues facing marginalized groups and those with limited access to opportunities. The editor and reporter must agree on a clear, formalized protocol if news coverage on Facebook Live might potentially violate media ethics or codes of conduct, Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) regulations, and other guidelines.