An Idea for Communications Research

Is anybody interested in a challenging topic for communications research? How about a topic that might make news? I cannot find any evidence where it has been done yet, but I believe we are at a point with social media where we can obtain some useful, meaningful data on the use of social media as a "news release" medium. For example, what percentage of hard news stories have been "broken" by social media? In other words, we are talking about stories filtered out to the press through Twitter, blogging or perhaps even YouTube (remember Michael Jackson's doctor releasing an official statement via YouTube). I would also wonder how that data compares over the past five years as social media has rapidly appeared on the scene and mushroomed into a phenomenon.

Now it seems, especially on the part of celebrities, "cool" to break your story through social media. That appears to be a much more 21st century way to get a story in circulation. It may even be a more controlled way to release the story, which may account for the growing appeal. You don't have to talk to a reporter and trust them to spin your message the way you want and when you want.

There is much more in the way of research questions. Some possibilities:  Do stories broken through social media have more or less "legs?" Is the placeent of stories broken through social media better or worse? which social media venue is most popular for breaking news? Conversely,which is least popular? What types of stories are most likely to be broken through social media? How can we quantify the way social media has influenced the initiation of media-focused events? In other words, is it easier to organize a media-focused protest through social media than through traditional methods? I think there is even potential for a separate component to study the impact of social media on politics.

Finally, I am very curious to know what new social media tools will catch on and when. Maybe that can be something research could also unearth. It's simply a great time to be in communications. Here is one take on social media and journalism that may get some more research juices flowing: "The Social Media Revolution" ...

It's a Whole New Ballgame in the News and Information World

I haven't read a hard copy newspaper in months. I no longer walk to the edge of my driveway to pick up the paper, any paper, except to toss it in the trash before it piles up. I haven't watched an evening news program in at least a year or maybe two.and for the life of me, I cannot even remember why I watched it. For what? I only catch snippets of. the local news here and there when it happens to be on and when there is a "story" that has something to do with my neighborhood. Am I out of touch? Absolutely not. In fact, I am more on top of the news than at any time in my life thanks to the proliferation of news and information sources online.

I used to work in the newspaper industry back in its heyday. But right now, I could not be happier as a news consumer because of all that I can access online: live radio broadcasts in other communities and around the world, online TV and special broadcasts and communiques through YouTube, online newspapers and magazines, and countless blogs that delve deeply into topics I care most about. When a big story breaks now, I can feast all day and all night on story after story and update after update combining print and video clips. Whether on the scene or on the issue, I cannot get enough.

I am still amazed at how you can "plant" yourself into a local community and feel the energy of a breaking news story that may seem like it is only confined to that community. And a major story of national or international importance -- recent New Zealand and Japan earthquakes, tornadoes in the Carolinas -- seems much more real and "in your face" when you can see homemade YouTube clips of the aftermath or read Twitter feeds and blog posts from people in the community, along with numerous news reports from wire services and newspapers. It gives you a tremendous perspective beyond just the facts.

Even when there is no news, I enjoy immensely listening to Internet streaming radio.It is my number one passion on the web and the activity has extended to my smartphone. I always have my earphones on and am listening to a station far away, sometimes in an English-speaking foreign land.

Check out this article on the impact of online information sources on newspapers and TV news.

Interesting Take on Social Media and Digital Content Issues

http://m.govtech.com/a?id=121093874

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