Facebook, Twitter (CoTweet), Myspace, YouTube, Linkedin, Ning, Naymz, Xanga and Delicious. These are only some of the world's largest social media sites. While for their original purposes of bringing people together, connecting and socializing online, these sites have, for many members, become their News sources. In many cases, breaking news is found faster on Facebook and Twitter rather than local news pages and national sites like FOX and CNN. We have the technologies to post anything online in a seconds time on our iPhones and Blackberries. Whatever we think, see and hear can be shared with the world in just one click.
When Michael Jackson died, who broke the news first? TMZ. When News organizations take public opinion polls, where do they tell you to comment? Facebook and Twitter. Now, instead of interviewing celebrities and government officials, entertainment stations now look for their sources' status updates and simply post them on air and online. No further interviews needed, right? Even retailers and businesses in the food industry are taking their PR online. Why mail coupons when Papa Johns can post its specials in a free Tweet?
It's been a year for a wide variety of connections, friend requests, sales and breaking news. The question is whether there'll be a point when it gets to be too much. At what point will we decide we want accuracy over immediacy? Or will enough of us care?
When Michael Jackson died, who broke the news first? TMZ. When News organizations take public opinion polls, where do they tell you to comment? Facebook and Twitter. Now, instead of interviewing celebrities and government officials, entertainment stations now look for their sources' status updates and simply post them on air and online. No further interviews needed, right? Even retailers and businesses in the food industry are taking their PR online. Why mail coupons when Papa Johns can post its specials in a free Tweet?
It's been a year for a wide variety of connections, friend requests, sales and breaking news. The question is whether there'll be a point when it gets to be too much. At what point will we decide we want accuracy over immediacy? Or will enough of us care?
