It’s unlikely that the founders of Twitter ever imagined their social media site would become the vehicle for a political uprising. Or that it would have the capacity to replace traditional journalism and media resources. But that’s exactly what Twitter has done.
Within the last three weeks, Iranian protestors have used Twitter, YouTube and personal testimonies to provide a window into this theocratic state’s rioting and rebellion. Because the government has banned all major reporting from inside the state, the world has had to depend on 140 character tweets about the current status of Iran.
Crowd sourcing and social media have already changed the face of traditional journalism and are likely to continue to redefine it. Instead of turning on the TV and listening to Bill O’Reilly for breaking news and information on Iran’s protests and riots, political followers have instead looked to unfiltered, firsthand experiences available instantly on Twitter and YouTube.
For example, one of the most powerful stories from Iran’s political uprising is the tragic story of Neda, a young woman who was killed during riots. A video of her death was posted on YouTube and quickly became one of the most popular hashtags on Twitter. Neda’s story and the public’s use of social media is an example of the movement to a more unconventional way of reporting – anyone with a Twitter or blog can be considered a journalist or a legitimate source of information.
So what does this mean for the future of journalism and broadcasting? More personalized reporting may give media the breath of fresh air it needs. CNN, for example, has created iReport which is a Web site for citizen journalism. CNN encourages people to upload photos, videos and information, which are then instantly updated on iReport, with some even making it to their newscasts.
The producers acknowledge that although they cannot confirm authenticity of news being disseminated, special circumstances in Iran have left the network with no choice but to depend on citizen journalists. That may not be a bad idea, as tweets and YouTube videos are offering followers instant updates on Iran, well before major networks break the news. Matthew Weaver, a blogger for The Guardian relies on these untraditional sources because, “when rallies and conflicts occur first the tweets come, then the pictures, then the YouTube videos, then the wires. It’s extraordinary.”
Clearly, traditional journalism is changing dramatically with the rise of citizen journalism vis-‡-vis mediums such as Twitter and YouTube. Instead of fighting this trend, media outlets should look for ways to incorporate Twitter into their reporting strategies as a way personalize their stories and connect with their audience while staying current and providing breaking news.