Attitude of Online Media Reporters towards Journalistic Function of Social Networks

This research is aimed at exploring the attitude of reporters of online media towards the journalistic function of social networks in Tehran. The statistical population of this study includes 700 reporters of news agencies and online media in the city of Tehran who have a work experience of less than five years, each. The sample population is selected through systematic random sampling. Survey research methodology was used for this study and questionnaire was applied to collect the needed information. Data analysis was conducted by SPSS. The data has been analyzed at two levels of descriptive statistics-- by using tables and graphs and determining frequencies -- and at statistical inference level-- by using Chi-squared test, Kendall's tau-b and tau-c to show the existence or absence of significant relationships between each independent variable and the degree of positive or negative attitude towards utilization of journalistic function of social networks in other media. The most important findings of this research are: reporters have positive attitude towards utilization of information dissemination function of social media; reporters have positive attitude towards social networks for becoming famous through creating news opportunities; reporters have positive attitude towards participation in social media networks to disseminate news in other media and consider it indispensable. The attitude of female reporters towards information dissemination use of social media is more positive compared to that of male reporters. The attitude of reporters with more experience towards journalistic function of the social media in other media is more negative. The more production of news at social networks increases the more positive the attitude of reporters would become towards becoming famous. The more contribution of reporters at social networks increases the more positive their attitude will become towards circulation of news contexts at other media. The attitude of reporters with higher experiences towards application of journalistic functions of social networks in media is more negative. The more production of news context increases at social networks the more positive the attitude of reporters will become towards becoming famous. The more contribution of reporters increases at social networks the more positive the attitude of reporters will become towards circulation of news context in other media outlets.