If someone asked me to name common sources of news/information I would probably say the newspapers, television, radio and the internet. However, I can't remember the last time I actually read a Newspaper, or even just flipped through the pages to see the headlines and pictures. I also barely ever watch television so I never get to see the news, unless maybe when I’m at a friend’s house. And ninety nine percent of the time that my radio is on, I'm listening to music. So that just leaves the internet. Unfortunately, I cannot claim to be a regular on CNN.com or any other news website. Despite all this, I don't consider myself as being uninformed or behind the news in any way. So where do I get news from?
Facebook!
I have a pretty wide 'variety' of friends on Facebook, if I can call them that. Geeks, football players, models, authors, musicians, fashion designers, inventors, farmers, critics, cooks, just to name a few. With such a combination, on my homepage I get pretty much all sorts of news. For example, the first five status updates on my homepage right now are:
- Nonso: Haha ha hahaha … Show of shame at the national assembly in Nigeria ( with link and video attached)
- Raye: Has no idea what to do... I did not want SIX guinea pigs...
- Reumac: One toy I would ♥ someone to get me http://www.fastcompany.com/1662302/new-tron-light-cycle-toys-drive-upside-down
- Jb: iFineness - VIDEO: Rihanna on Working With Eminemhttp://bit.ly/bsGxAo
- Maina: Academy Award-Winning Filmmaker Oliver Stone Tackles Latin America's Political Upheaval in "South of...http://www.democracynow.org/2010/6/21/academy_award_winning_filmmaker_oliver_stone
If on this one page, in just the first five sections, I can get a combination of information on what is happening in Nigeria, Vermont (the guinea pigs), Disney( the tron light cycle), music (Rihanna and Eminem) and Latin America, then what other news source do I need?
Maybe Facebook should launch FaceNews. Wouldn’t that be a success? You will be able to get all the news that is relevant to you and your friends all on one page. Social networks have a future in media? who knows?
Just thinking out loud J
I love this post!!
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, social media already has a big foot in media; in particular, networks such as Twitter whose sole purpose is live updates of current events, have even surpassed media for breaking and accurate news in some situations. During situations such as the hostage situation in Mumbai a few years ago, and the miraculous plane landing on the Hudson River (also a two-ish years back), the first news were through Twitter. Mumbai citizens with Wi-Fi or internet access who were close to the hostage situation tweeted live updates, and the world was able to paint an extremely clear picture of what was actually happening. I believe (please correct me if I'm wrong) one of the American hostages inside a hotel tweeted about her situation... social media networks are truly remarkable.
ReplyDeleteReally well put and thought out. :)
ReplyDelete