The extraordinary amount of news coverage the mainstream media has recently devoted to Twitter has led some to think the press is in love with the 3-yo microblogging service. But it’s a jealous love.
Twitter’s constantly updating record of up-to-the-minute reaction has threatened to usurp media coverage of breaking news. It has helped many celebrities, athletes and politicians bypass the media placing their message directly to their audience. It’s arguably the best way for a news outlet to get closer to their readership. Most outlets now have a presence on Twitter with a feed directing readers to their respective sites.
The most salient, powerful example of Twitter’s influence has been Iranian protesters using the service to assemble marches against what they feel was an unjust election.
Twitter is difficult for governments to block because tweets can upload from mobile phones. Nevertheless, the Iranian government has often succeeded in blocking Twitter, Facebook and other social networks sites.
Some people prefer news on Twitter to the cable news networks. Many users have become accustomed to clicking on Twitter when news breaks where they find reaction, commentary and links to the news articles.
Author and Communications Strategy Analyst Ross Dawson says that ‘Twitter changes the media landscape’ and refers to Marshall McLuhan’s description of media as ‘an extension of our senses. ‘Twitter is extending our senses to tens of millions of people who are often right on the scene where things are happening’.
Comedian Michael Ian Black, on Twitter notes that while Twitter allows someone to ‘communicate very directly with people, it also allows you to keep them totally at arm’s length’. There are no follow-up questions on Twitter if the user chooses not to hear them.
Cyclist Lance Armstrong has caused some news organisations to question how they approach Twitter. Armstrong often treats Twitter as his primary news outlet.
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