Columbia J School Digital Journalism Director Calls on Journos To Treat Trump As ‘Media Organization’

Emily Bell is the Director at the Tow Center for Digital Journalism at Columbia Journalism School, so she knows a thing or two about online publishing. Today, she decided to share what she knows in a Twitter thread that urges reporters to think of President-elect Donald Trump the same way they think of media organizations. Look:

2. He is ratings-driven in all respects, (as someone who is actually a tv star would be ). He a/b tests all policies/statements/cabinet

— emily bell (@emilybell) January 6, 2017

4. Trump has also swallowed to digital media playbook -‘authenticity’, engagement, merging online presence w/offline events, personal brand

— emily bell (@emilybell) January 6, 2017

6. As @jayrosen_nyu talked about ‘a different kind of candidate’ we have a different kind of President – not a politician but a media outlet

— emily bell (@emilybell) January 6, 2017

8. The Medium is the Office. This is the age we have entered

— emily bell (@emilybell) January 6, 2017

9. And finally – smart of him to get Peter Thiel onside early..because he is the default regulator of media these days

— emily bell (@emilybell) January 6, 2017

The advice was given as a way of explaining his constant tweets, many of which are jarringly dissimilar to any communication people are used to from their elected officials.

Thinking of the presidency as an extended television show is new. It may be difficult to adjust to the idea that art no longer imitates life as much as life imitates art, but Bell’s advice may provide a framework for those tasked with explaining politics to the public to begin unpacking why Trump does what he does.

[image: screengrab]

Lindsey: Twitter. Facebook.

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