Social media has influenced the way we communicate without a doubt. However, by adding real time updates like Twitter, for example, to our top outlets, has changed the way we receive breaking news more importantly. When Twitter first gained popularity as a form of microblogging, it was viewed as a professional tool for journalists and news outlets given its real-time feature. Its popularity quickly spread as being a useful site to be participate in despite one’s age or profession.
Although today Twitter has millions of registered users for business and personal use, the way it has aided the news profession has been the most heavily impacted. Breaking news of events has been able to start trending on twitter to reach the masses in a matter of minutes. For example, I was on twitter when I got word of the death of Osama Bin Laden, which then prompted me to the twitter page of CNN. Spreading word of such prominent news for our country was able to happen in such a short period of time and allowed me to tune into CNN on television to get the full story of what had happened. Updates from people in Washington, DC during this time were also helpful in sharing their stories of how many rushed to the White House to spread their patriotism and emotions for the events that were taking place.
Additionally, with so many being connected via Twitter, even the President of the United States, citizens can trust to be receiving reliable information. Social media has become an outlet for virtually any demographic to engage in, despite location, profession, age or race. Sharing news, insight, opinions and ideas is now so easy and even free, provided to appropriate tools.
