by Nancy Houser

Created on: August 03, 2011   Last Updated: August 04, 2011

On July 26, 2011, an article by Zack Whittacker titled “Twitter inherently reports news before traditional media” was published at Zdnet, a business technology newsite published by CBS interactive, SmartPlanet and TechRepublic. In a world where competitive news sources jockey for top positions regarding world events, the social media phrase “Twitter broke the story” is heard long before that of traditional media. The fast developing network of citizen journalists is quickly becoming the forefront of the news world.

The “live” world of Twitter

Zack Whittacker’s article describes Twitter as relying entirely on social capital, a “live” entity compared to the traditional news hub of human communication that the world has long been used to. Mr. Wowser (@wowser) on hisTwitter tweets, “Reading the news after reading Twitter is like seeing the answers to some strange, topical, cryptic quiz.”

Twitter functions through the instant interactions of people-or tweets. People “tweet” to one another when they hear of a news event that they think is interesting or they can use for a purpose. President Barack Obama has chosen Twitter to fight the US debt debate online instead of using television ads or publication. Over 9.4 million followers of barackobama have made him the third most followed person on Twitter, right behind Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber.

With global connections all over the world, the computer has become a news tool consisting of various social sites with up-to-date news: (1) YouTube.com; (2) Facebook; (4) Twitter.com; (5) newsvine.com; (6) propeller.com; (7) clipmarks.com; and (8) Google+. With over two million users, Twitter is not only part of broadcast shows and headline news, but is filled with citizen journalists. Tapping away at their touchscreen phones once they in case they see anything of significance.

Citizen journalists use Twitter for many reasons:

•  It is FREE!

•  Breaking news almost always hits Twitter first.

•  It integrates with cell phones, laptops, and desktop computers.

•  Twitter works with high speed.

•  TwitterLocal can find Twitter users near a specific geographic location.

•  First-hand reports are fired-off instantly from affected regions.

•  Over 2 million Twitter users can instantly share personal accounts, resources and related news.

•  Twitter users have full control over when and how they receive their “tweets.”

•  Unique Twitter users account for about 1.2 million per month, with 25% posting heavily per day.

•  Twitter is the simplest online communication tool there is for citizen journalists.

•  Information can be visually scanned and used quickly, with a limit of 140 characters per post.

•  Reports, feedback, relevant leads and observations can be quickly cultivated by similar users with vital “tweets.”

Twitter versus professional journalism

Twitter has proved itself more than once that it is a global power as a journalist news wire service. However, professional journalists still question its use.

According to PBS, ABC is consulting their staff in publishing new guidelines regarding the use of Twitter. "I think they're still feeling their way on social networking sites. It's a new world and they're trying to figure out exactly how to approach it," prominent ABC presenter Leigh Sales said.

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