Latika Bourke is ABC’s first social media reporter
The ABC has signed up 2UE’s Latika Bourke as its first journalist to report primarily via social media.
Bourke was named the Walkley young journalist of the year in June. Her “pioneering” use of Twitter for reporting was cited as one of the factors.
Her departure is the second time a high profile Fairfax Media journalist has departed to a new media job at the ABC. Last year, Sydney Morning Herald columnist Annabel Crabb was hired to become ABC Online’s chief political writer.
According to the ABC announcement: “Social media is a rapidly expanding area of communication, and is playing a growing role in the reporting of politics. As well as acting as a source of instant breaking news, social media platforms provide new ways to communicate with new audiences and link to the rest of the ABC’s political reporting.
The new role will be attached to the ABC’s existing award-winning radio news and current affairs team, and will be part of a range of measures designed to explore how social media can be used to enhance and extend the ABC’s coverage of national politics.
The ABC’s director of news Kate Torney said: “I am delighted to welcome Latika to our Canberra team. The ABC has a strong tradition of embracing and exploring new ways of communicating with our audience across a range of new and emerging platforms. This latest appointment continues that tradition.”
Bourke will take up the role in the new year.
Tim Burrowes founded Mumbrella in 2008. He worked on Mumbrella until 2021. At various points he was editor, content director and editor-at-large.
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Another question should have been “How important is aspect ratio when producing video content”?
Not very, apparently…
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or editing for that matter.
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I didn’t get that far!
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Well done to Latika.
I wish I was back at university studying journalism…her new position would have been a very interesting thing to follow and study.
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Well done to the ABC, a very positive sign that business is making operational commitments to new media that will no doubt have a positive effect with their audience.
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I get a bit confused – isn’t she reporting on politics? using Social Media tools (e.g. twitter) dosen’t make you the ‘social media’ reporter. nonetheless – congrats Latika!
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