Being a public figure and using social media

In the current climate of everything being overanalyzed, being active on social media as a public figure can be tricky.

Miya Shay of KTRK has found a balance of doing her job and showcasing aspects of her personal life for her followers to see. As you scroll through her feed you’ll see photos of children, her Wordle exploits, and of course, trolls.

Though some choose to immediately block individuals looking to get a response, Shay shows no issue with engaging with people looking for attention. Whether the person has a blue check or not, she will oblige any takers.

Being married to a politician, Shay catches strays due to her husband’s position. She often will defend her husband and engage with those looking for trouble. But, she never seems to cross the line into being disrespectful or putting her job or reputation on the line.

Social media can be a mine field for the least known person. Old tweets are dug up in regular conversation if someone is disagreed with as way of “owning” their opponent in a debate. “Cancel culture” has come for many, leaving people wary of engaging on any platform.

It takes a level of care and bravery to be willing to engage with someone who has no motive but to antagonize. The fact that Shay continues to do her job as a reporter shows that you don’t have to be closed off just because you are in the public eye.

Seeing the personal side of Shay’s Twitter is good for those consuming her stories. It makes her more human and not just a face on the screen. The reporting she does becomes more than just information. It can be like a friend telling you a story.

And in Shay’s case in particular, a bit of a sassy friend.