ceedee's posterous

After announcing late last month that it would create the role of Social Media Editor, the BBC has appointed Alex Gubbay as the first to fill the position.

Currently the Interactive Sports News Editor for BBC Sport, Gubbay will commence his new title in January.

The creation of the position come amidst a wider general campaign run by the BBC to be more 'social media conscious' and Nic Newman, the BBC's future media and technology controller, journalism has previously said: "Like a lot of other news organisations, we are at the beginning of something very exciting."

"We recognise social media plays an important part. With the new position we are co-ordinating best practice. We think that the decision to appoint a social media editor is the best way to understand what works."

Gubbay's job will be to help navigate BBC journalists in their use of social media, rather than scan the various services for stories himself, as recently appointed 'Twitter correspondent' Ruth Barnett does for Sky News.

According to a statement released by BBC, Gubbay "will manage the existing User Generated Content hub within BBC Newswire, coordinating high-quality UGC newsgathering and effective comment and debate on all of the Newsroom platforms."

"The hub is a central part of BBC News - generating newsmaking material on stories including the Iran protests, violence in western China, and many UK consumer and social affairs issues."

One of Gubbay's tasks will be developing new ways for audiences to contribute to the stories covered by BBC News and making sure that the technology is in place to back this up. "BBC wants to ensure this is as simple as possible for our audiences to do, and deepen our relationship with them in the interests of strengthening our journalism," read the statement.

Mary Hockaday, the BBC's Head of Newsroom, said: "The way audiences consume and interact with news is changing. New social media platforms allow audiences to get, share and comment on the news, and are becoming distribution channels in their own right.  Alex will lead our work in this area to build an open relationship with our audience, and make sure our distinctive journalism reaches as many people as possible."

The appointment comes as more and more publications are becoming aware of the valuable resource that is social media. Instantaneous contact with sources, information and images have modified the face of journalism and news organisations are working fast to try not to miss the boat.

Source: BBC Press Release via Media Network

Alex's appointment could be a hugely significant move towards 'new journalism'.
And should be fun watching his 'noob' Twitter experiences...
Best of luck, Alex!