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Journal Article 1: Coates Nee, R. (2015). Gatekeeping the 2012 olympic games: Did #NBCfail the social media audience? Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, 92, 77–98. Article first published online: January 21, 2015; Issue published: March 1, 2015

Abstract: Due to rising consumer interactions with televised events through social media, NBC proclaimed that the 2012 Olympics would be the “social Games.” The economically motivated gatekeeping decisions made by the network, however, generated a social media backlash as viewers demanded to see the Games broadcast live. This case study presents a content analysis of all news items posted online regarding NBC’s 2012 Olympic coverage during the three-week period surrounding the Games. Findings illustrate the growing tension between mass media producers, who seek to maximize economic returns, and audiences, who increasingly expect transparency and participation in the digital age.

Journal Article 2: Santana, A. D., & Hopp, T. (2016). Tapping into a new stream of (personal) data: Assessing journalists’ different use of social media. Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, 93, 383–408. Article first published online: April 4, 2016; Issue published: June 1, 2016

Abstract: This research seeks to quantify social media’s value as a reporting tool for journalists by understanding it as an instrument for accessing personal data. A national survey of reporters at all large and midsize U.S. newspapers shows that journalists place more value on Twitter than Facebook as it relates to professional practice. Evaluation of the various practice-based functions relative to individual journalists’ value perceptions suggests that Facebook’s value is tied to its use for querying friends and conducting research. Twitter’s value was significantly tied to the platform’s use for querying followers, performing research, and activities associated with contacting sources.