A new wave of social networking sites have hit the public and achieved outstanding results with increasing popularity. However, one social networking site in particular has gone beyond the simple ‘social’ aspect of the media channel. Twitter, a “micro-blogging”
Initially used for publishing updates of individual activities, government agencies now internationally utilize Twitter accounts for recent events such as emergency alerts and election results. Twitter provides agencies the ability to distribute brief, direct, and personalized updates of urgent information publicly. Interaction is also achieved through the network’s blog format as the public can publish their feedback to agencies through the site.
The Twitter network has been extremely constructive in providing breaking coverage regarding demonstrators located in Iran. Accessibility to Twitter via mobile devices and computers, allows personalized and detailed updates from the Iranian public to be viewed internationally. Recently, on June 17th, the U.S. government asked Twitter to delay maintenance plans in regards to the disputed Iranian election to stay “active during this highly visible global event”.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also uses the network to provide national preparedness and response to public health emergencies through Twitter updates. For example, updates regarding novel H1N1 flu are given including the number of cases, death count, and territories affected.
The effectiveness of Twitter as a vehicle to provide emergency alerts and current event updates has certainly not gone unnoticed. The site is being increasingly utilized by agencies to deliver a wide range of updates from local forest fires to world-wide elections. One unique aspect of the network is the extensive age range of Twitter users. It aids in the exposure of recent events to users, such as young adults, that may not otherwise receive breaking updates through news channels or newspapers. The increasing popularity of this network has provided an accessible, brief, and personalized touch to media that has never been accessed before!
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