Mike Neumeier, principal of Arketi Group, says "In an era exploding with user-generated content, social media, and Web 2.0, it's important for those in business-to-business communications to understand how journalists are using technology..."
Ninety-seven percent of journalists surveyed say they enjoy using new technologies. And 30 percent of journalists say they use some type of instant messenger for professional communication.
Sixty percent of journalists say they spend more than 20 hours a week on the Internet. When asked how journalists use the Internet:
Dr. Kaye Sweetser, APR, assistant professor of public relations at the University of Georgia's Grady College, said "...this survey shows that business journalists are embracing user-generated content like blogs, webinars and podcasts... in their day-to-day reporting..."
Ninety percent of journalists say they turn to industry sources for story ideas, an equal number get story ideas from news releases and a nearly equal number say they tap into public relations contacts.
Working with known sources:
Working with unknown sources:
Others sources of credible online information according to those journalists surveyed included:
According to journalists, the most useful information on a corporate Web site is contact information (97 percent), search capabilities (95 percent), press room/press kits (92 percent), company backgrounders (89 percent) and publication-quality graphics or photos (66 percent).
To download a report of the findings, please visit here.