‘Jerusalem Post’ expands social media program

Revamped program includes live Twitter coverage, a new Facebook page and Web-only features.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
The Jerusalem Post's Facebook Timeline 370 (photo credit: Screenshot)
The Jerusalem Post's Facebook Timeline 370
(photo credit: Screenshot)
The Jerusalem Post, the most widely read and recognized English-language news source from Israel, announced Sunday plans to ramp up its social media program – including improving its real-time coverage of events, cultivating a more interactive approach to its reporting and developing a community of readers worldwide.
In addition to reevaluating its overall approach to news dissemination, the newspaper is also working to develop its outreach online via the new social media platforms that have succeeded in challenging and changing the face of journalism in recent years.
“I am very excited about developing The Jerusalem Post’s social media program and creating a large community of followers interested in being updated on the latest situation in Israel and the Jewish world,” said Editor-in-Chief Steve Linde, who took up the position last July.
“As we approach our historically important newspaper’s 80th birthday in December, it is vital to ensure its central place in the future – by promoting it in cyberspace in this digital era of the 21st century,” Linde said.
Last month, Linde appointed senior staffer Ruth Eglash as deputy managing editor to help develop the paper’s social media strategy. She will work together with its highly qualified Internet team, directed by JPost.com Managing-Editor Moshe Raphaely and Internet desk manager Elana Kirsh. News desk producer Nicole Hyman, assisted by JPost.com's team of Breaking News editors, is responsible for managing all of the Post’s social media communities.
The team has already started to incorporate several social media platforms into the newspaper’s online coverage of events. On Friday, reporters in the field for the Global March to Jerusalem (also known as Palestinian Land Day) were able to update readers in real-time, via a dedicated feed on social networking site Twitter that was linked to the paper’s website.
Live coverage of the Global March to Jerusalem.

In addition, last week the Post launched a new Facebook Timeline, which is updated regularly with breaking news, feature and analysis pieces, along with special Web-only stories.

The timeline also showcases important events in Israel’s history and memorable front pages, emphasizing the paper’s exclusive live feeds and videos.
“To me, social media is about conversation and about abolishing outdated systems whereby the public is spoon-fed messages by the media and massive corporations,” commented Kirsh.
Eglash said there is great importance to building a community of the paper’s readers who can interact with its staff and comment more actively on the content produced. She also said that it is essential for print media to move forward and embrace social media as an excellent tool to “do our jobs.”
In addition to introducing more live feeds and social media elements on the website, Post fans can join in the conversation about important events and news in Israel, and interact with many staff members on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and other social media platforms.