Do media companies “own” the social media profiles of their talent?

LINK: jimromenesko.com ➚ | Posted by: Joshua Benton | January 22, 2013

At Sinclair Broadcasting, they do. Reporter Rachel Barnhart (via Romenesko):

…the company has started new social media accounts in my name for me to use during work hours when I am covering stories. The company has administrative control over these accounts…

The big benefit for stations is owning a reporter’s relationship with followers. The reporter can’t take the following with her if she leaves for a competitor or anywhere else.

Meanwhile, you can still complain about your working conditions on Twitter. (Although I really wouldn’t recommend it if your boss controls the account.)

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