Bloomberg’s Twitter-Phobic Editor

Matt Winkler warns staffers opinions in recent tweets “compromised our integrity”

It’s hard to imagine this exists in 2010, but Bloomberg News editor Matt Winkler is weary of the way staffers are editorializing in their Twitter updates. (Because, you know, reporters are not allowed to have opinions. Ever.)

According to a memo — obtained and posted by Talking Biz News blog — Winkler was irked by his reporters’ coverage of Congressional testimony.

Winkler wrote: "At Bloomberg News, the three most important words are accuracy, accuracy and accuracy. The following tweets on Bloomberg.com during congressional testimony compromised our integrity.”

He then gave examples:

Twitter post by Bloomberg reporter: “Blanfkein working hard not to start the head-bobbing thing. He was so upset/vehement at the FCIC hearing he kept bobbing his head.”

Winkler comment: ((xxx working hard xxx is an assertion/opinion and therefore inaccurate as we can’t know what Blankfein is thinking. xxx upset/vehement is an assertion/opinion and xxx bobbing xxx is an opinion masquerading as observation and therefore inaccurate))

Twitter post by Bloomberg reporter: “Is Levin too cranky by half? Wonder if he’s making GS boys sympathetic characters.”

Winkler comment: ((xxx cranky by half xxx is an assertion/opinion and therefore inaccurate. xxx wonder xxx invites judgment which can’t be verified and is therefore inaccurate))

Twitter post by Bloomberg reporter: “McCain thumping on the ‘’you big bankers make too much money.’ Blankfein looks really uncomfortable.”

Winkler comment: ((xxx thumping xxx is an assertion that can’t be reported. Authenticity of quotation is questionable followed by assertion/opinion as there is nothing substantiating subjective xxx uncomfortable xxxx and therefore inaccurate))

Twitter post by Bloomberg reporter:
“Fabulous Fab completely incomprehensible on how these transactions work. Need we say more.”

Winkler comment: ((xxx completely incomprehensible xxx is an assertion/opinion and therefore inaccurate. xxx need we say mo xxx is an assertion/opinion and therefore inaccurate))

More to read:

Reuters Doesn’t Want Its Reporters Breaking News on Twitter
News Media Struggle Over New Rules for Twitter

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