The 2022 Humanistic News Writing Workshop held a special session on June 19th, inviting Wang Shuheng, a senior editor from UDN News Network, to teach a course on "Introduction to Social Media News and Key Writing Points," drawing on his years of experience and professional skills in social media. Nearly 100 participants learned online about the correct approach to social media reporting and up-to-date skills.
Wang Shuheng, who transitioned from journalism to editing at United Daily News, stated that news media has entered a new era. The rise of online news has significantly changed traditional print media; few people read print news anymore, relying primarily on online platforms. Online news content is diverse, no longer limited to print, and includes text, images, short videos, and social media.
Wang Shuheng pointed out that the characteristics of online news include an emphasis on timely news headlines, the ability to change and modify headlines and content at any time, and the ability to upload and remove news articles at any time. To attract readers, it is necessary to design easy-to-find, clearly defined main webpages, clear news categories, and the ability to update news regularly, including push notifications, keyword search methods, and convenient content packages and special topic pages.
Wang Shuheng stated that online news reporters need to be able to write, photograph, and edit, and also learn the work of an editor. He mentioned that the creation and presentation of news websites are the editor's job, requiring them to grasp the key points and clearly categorize the details. They also need to be familiar with the operation skills of commonly used social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Regarding the key points of online editing, Wang Shuheng reminded everyone that when rewriting news, the first step is to organize and categorize the news clearly. Methods to increase traffic control involve adding or subtracting news content and changing headlines. Installing Google software allows for real-time monitoring, analysis, and statistics of news traffic. Managing the page, and creating special features when necessary, presents a dazzling and eye-catching image; social media management and operation are crucial.
"The future trend of news is better presented in a way that resonates with the general public, not just limited to a particular temple or monk," Wang Shuheng said. He added that while the main goal of traditional media's online editors is to increase traffic and expand revenue, *Humanistic Buddhism Daily* focuses on increasing the influence of virtuous content. After several transformations, the United Daily News has established itself primarily as the United News Network, maintaining the same brand values of kindness and credibility as the Humanistic Daily.
Student Wang Shuhui asked, "Should online rewriting include the source? How can we avoid stepping on landmines?" Wang Shuheng replied, "Pointing out the source is essential to avoid controversy. Online rewriting should be objective, with careful verification beforehand. It's crucial to avoid copyright infringement and illegal activities. Any errors should be corrected immediately or the content removed. If it has already been screenshotted and circulated, admit the mistake and use a corrected version to reduce the chance of triggering a landmine."
When answering other students' questions, Wang Shuheng stated that rewritten reports on the COVID-19 pandemic should be based on data released by the government. The main theme of the rewritten introduction should be clear, and the report should ideally be kept under 500 words. Linking directly to the original text is the best way to protect oneself.
Font size big middle Small Wang Shuheng lectured on essential methods of social media reporting at the Humanistic News Writing Workshop.
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