According to webopedia.com, Social networking sites can be
used to describe community-based Web sites, online discussions forums, chat
rooms and other social spaces online. Twitter, like other social networking
platforms, is accessible by the public and provides the freedom to say whatever
you would like within the 140-charecter limit.
The "Social" part in Social Media is not only for
socializing and marketing. Twitter in particular is a large news outlet today. TheGuardian.com states that, "Twitter has often
been touted as the first with news." In their article, "How the
Boston Marathon explosions reveal the two sides of Twitter", Twitter is
described as a "funnel turned upside down". Often times within the
first few minutes of an event, twitter is instant and concise. Within a few
hours, it has the potential to get skewed and irrational. Within hours of the
Boston Marathon bombing, there several "facts" that were tweeted that
proved to be untrue, such as, "A Muslim, with shrapnel wounds is being
guarded in hospital as a person of interest.", and "It was Patriot's Day. This is when
rightwing supremacists consider their time to act. After all, Timothy McVeigh
committed the Oklahoma bombing at the same time in 1995." These pieces of
information all may sound authentic individually, but again, were never proved
to be true. Twitter can be used to give
news to the people instantly, without much regard to accuracy.
As per a journalistic, political, and/or organizational
tool, Twitter is extremely useful. Berkeley
College states that for "journalists, it’s a way to keep a pulse on
and engage with communities, locate sources, and to report on the world new and
unique ways." They state, "Twitter has emerged as a powerful news
tool, alerting the world about natural disasters, hostage standoffs and even
revolutionary uprisings." Journalism and Twitter go hand in hand in
creating a following base, seeing new information, and sharing new information
with the world instantaneously. Twitter forces Journalists to be short and
concise, getting right to the point. If a media outlet is unable to give all of
the information the want in 140 characters, Twitter allows users to attach
links, photos, and videos to their tweets.
Politically, Twitter is used frequently. Micro blogging has
a rapidly increasing speed and scope of events, campaigns, and scandals.
Twitter has also enabled direct communication between politicians and the
public. The most retweeted tweet ever
was Barack Obama's tweet showing a photograph of him and the First Lady,
Michelle Obama in an embrace. The three-word tweet stated, "Four more
years." The short and concise tweet on November 6, 2012 began a huge
interaction with the public.
Organizationally, Twitter has its perks.
Twitter accounts create jobs for organizations; typically a
team of people is running the organizations Twitter account. An organization
can decide how viewers will see them by how formal or informal they are, if
they interact directly with followers, and the content of their tweets. Twitter
can be used to give announcements, promotions, and different points of interest
involving the organization. Your organization staying active on Twitter can
show your followers that you are always there, ready to help them and your
cause. Twitter makes your organization available to the public.
Twitter is often used as a communicator during events. The "Moments" tab on twitter
allow the user to scan popular World News instantly.
On April 2, 2016, an aircraft crashed onto Interstate 15 in
San Diego, where it collided with a car. Reports say that at least one person
has died and five are injured. Several accounts such as The Associated Press,
San Diego Press, The Union-Tribune, and NBC San Diego, all verified accounts,
all tweeted slightly different facts regarding the crash. One accounts states
that the driver of the Nissan sedan was "Pulled over trying to sync his
Bluetooth when hit by plane", while another states "small plane
crashed on a California freeway and strikes car, killing one person and injuring
five." From these two tweets we got two different facts, from two
different sources.
12 days after the Brussels terrorist attacks, the airport
was claimed to reopen. While some accounts like Brussels Airport, and Bloomberg
state that the airport will resume passenger flights on Sunday, April 3rd, Sky
News states that the airport will be fully open by the end of June. All
verified accounts again providing information to the public, though some of
their facts were conflicting.
The Chicago teachers' strike has their own hash tag on
twitter, #CTUstrike.
When searching for the hash tag, there are several photographs with comments
about the event. Without even knowing background of the protest, the short and
concise tweets, along with their photographs, it is obvious that the public
school teachers are protesting about budget cuts and changes to there
contracts. The picketing signs seem to be poking fun at Governor Bruce Rauner
and Mayor Rahm Emanuel with Star Wars and Harry Potter quips. The hash tag gives
several insightful opinions on the protest to those who may know nothing about
it.
Following different organizations and groups on Twitter is
important to broaden your horizons and learn about new things. Following
unrelated accounts such as Applebees, The New York State Fair, and Tim Hortons
allows you to interact and learn about new events and lifestyles. Applebees
does a lot of advertising, but also participates and comments on popular events
and comments on feedback. The New York State Fair Twitter account posts daily
on event calendars, current events, and planning opportunities. Tim Hortons is
a local company that is very popular in Western New York. They relate to local
levels and advertise.
Micro blogging is a different experience than regular
blogging, or using different social media platforms. Twitter having a 140
character cap forces you to think about what you want to get across, and choose
your words wisely. Word choice creates phrases are more powerful than others,
and creates different meanings to things. Regular blogging you have the chance
to elaborate on your thoughts and opinions, using several links, video's, and
photographs. Micro blogging you get the chance to use one video, one
photograph, or one link.
Twitter encourages you to tweet promptly after an event,
however it is important to stay accurate, objective, and neutral in your
professional tweets. The Twitter project was an extreme learning experience for
someone who is not familiar with the social media platform, or someone who has
never used Twitter in a professional way.
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