Social media solving crimes

By Jade McBride

Don Winner is a self-made journalist. He created Panama-Guide.com, which he currently owns and operates. He may not realize what he does with social media on his website when using comments and posts as an active tool. He regards to Social Media as primarily Twitter and Facebook, and although claims he doesn’t use, if you follow his website you can understand that he does. When he responds to emails and postings he recovers information that is otherwise impossible to obtain. True words from people in locations that he needs information for and he creates contacts and friendships with those people. More personal to him rather than the audience but he uses it as a social media platform unknowingly. He is more of an investigative reporter in his local area, uncovering the truth and capture of criminals. Mr. Winner's website shows that determination and a little digging and journalism ethics can discover many things.

How long in journalism?

Since I started the www.panama-guide.com website in August 2004.

What social media platforms do you use?

I have accounts on Twitter and Facebook, but I don’t use them all that much any more.

When, how, and why did you start?

I started using both Twitter and Facebook about two years ago – whenever they first came on line.

About how much time a week do you spend using social media for work?

At first, way too much. Once I realized it was a complete waste of time, I stopped completely.

Why do you use social media?

Better question would be “why don’t I use social media.” Like I said, too much time, no payback in terms of money or traffic.

Does your employer require you to use social media?

No. I am the boss, owner, editor. And, I don’t use it all that much.

Did your employer offer training?

I trained myself, so is that a yes?

Does your employer have a policy about how its journalists use social media? If so, can you describe the policy or share it?

No. I’m a one man show.

How do you measure results?

With my checkbook, and traffic to the website. There’s almost no payoff for my niche.

Have you been satisfied with the results of your efforts?

I’m quite happy, thanks.