Associated Press Updates Guidelines for Social Media

Revised to address dangerous and sensitive news

The Associated Press announced an update to its social media guidelines, with a focus in part on potentially dangerous or sensitive stories, like the recent terrorist attack in Boston.

"When there's been a mass killing, a natural disaster or a breaking event in a war zone, AP journalists need to use every tool at their disposal to get the story—and, when possible, the images," AP Social Media Editor Eric Carvin and AP Standards Editor Tom Kent wrote in a blog post. "As always, we need to work quickly. But when potential sources of newsworthy tips, witness accounts and amateur content are in dangerous or otherwise sensitive situations, it's critical that we make smart and ethical news gathering decisions."