Week 5- We're All A Twitter

Why collecting information from Twitter has it's positive and negative aspects: 

As journalists it's our job to check facts and not just rely one source of information for stories. 

The increasingly popularity of social media, Twitter in particular has changed the way we communicate with others. It has allowed us to talk to millions of individuals, from doctors, celebrities, journalists to people down the street. However, Twitter is a tool that we must use carefully as journalists.

In 140 characters or less, a tweet can send out misleading information that could explode over the internet and false stories based on the source is posted.

The image above is a great example of twitter being used  for the wrong purposes.

Journalist, Alina Selyuch said  "Hackers took control of the Associated Press Twitter account on Tuesday and sent a false tweet of two explosions in the White House that briefly shook US financial markets."

Although, this incident was not AP's fault, Twitter has a global audience and it can still have an effect.  Don't just write anything online...

 While some tweets are just #crazy and complete #nonsense.

It happens. That's what verified sources are for and research.

 

This Youtube video on the impact of Twitter on journalism states that Twitter is a great way for journalists to report things as they are happening. Watch it here.

An great example is the helicopter that crashed in central London on the 16th January. The incident killed two and injured 13 others when the helicopter struck a construction crane on the top of an high-rise apartment building.

As the incident occurred citizen journalists nearby tweeted images, made comments while hash-tagging and uploaded videos. The media items were reproduced by news outlets for their news stories.
Check it out:

Twitter has made society aware and more involved in the news. If anything, it's a tool that can help promote journalists and get stories out there that need to be read.

Do you agree? 

Sources: 

Selyuch, A 2013, 'White House explosions: Twitter hoax shakes US markets',  24 April 2013, SMH, viewed on 4 Sept 2013. 

http://www.smh.com.au/it-pro/security-it/white-house-explosions-twitter-hoax-shakes-us-markets-20130423-2idbc.html

The Australian 2013,  'Two dead after helicopter crashes in Central London', 17 Jan 2013, The Australian Newspaper, viewed on 4 Sept 2013.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/helicopter-crashes-in-central-london/story-e6frg6so-1226555369435