September 18, 2013 02:07 PM UTC

Twitter Good Way for Reporters to Note Who's Not Talking

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• by: Jason Salzman

(Promoted by Colorado Pols)

The Denver Post's Allison Sherry set a good example for her fellow journalists today by usng Twitter to tell us who isn't talking to her.

. @RepMikeCoffman refuses to answer in person questions on the CR, says will only talk about funding federal govt 'in writing' #copolitics

— Allison Sherry (@allisonsherry) September 18, 2013

It's a great use of Twitter, in part because it allows the dwindling numbers of political journalists to know how they might be able to act collectively to get info from hiding politicians, who often choose to grant interviews to some reporters while ignoring others.

A public-minded reporter, lucky enough to have access to Coffman (or any bunkered pol), might see a tweet like Sherry's and step up with questions. Reporters at different outlets are still competitors, for sure, but these days you see them taking more collective action for the greater good.

It's obviously easier and easier for pubic officials to avoid journalists, as their ranks and audience declines. Tweeting the media-avoidance habits of politicians on a regular basis is a good response to a bad situation.