The president of CNN has claimed to be worried about the rise in social media. In fact it appears that he is more concerned about the likes of Facebook and Twitter then he is with his traditional rivals which include Fox. He is right of course because social media has a way of breaking and spreading news like no other.
Even locational work cannot always put CNN in a position to be the fastest provider of news. But if my neighbors house was burning down I could post on Twitter “Oh my God” and the world would know long before any fire crew or reporter arrived.
It sounds far fetched of course and the point was made for illustration only. But there have been many instances of disasters (in this case) happening where local witnesses have been first on the news scene and used social media to tell the world. A cellphone and a working finger is often all that is needed. Haiti, Chile etc.
Let’s revert back to CNN. There is, of course, little threat to them. They have an enormous presence and they have money to spend to continue to use and to upgrade their social media presence. But transfer this to more local news services. Local events can easily be covered by a group of local enthusiasts (aka: all local residents, visitors and geeks) without the need for local reporters and photographers. In fact, with the power of Facebook and Twitter (as well as the myriad of other social media services) reports and images can be completed, posted and shared well before any reporter could dare to enter the scene. It is possible to transmit audio and video in a like manner.
I don’t know what the budget is for news in localities. I get the impression that there is always room for improvements (otherwise known as cost cutting). Using social media could be one way to cost cut. It is akready the case that the BBC are having to cut back on some of their services. Why not others?
Traditional methods do still work of course but are they ready for the long term?
So, let’s turn things around a bit. Imagine you are watching Ophra on the TV whilst sitting in front of your laptop. Thousands of people do it though we are led to understand that people are turning to the internet more and more. Well, whilst watching, you are gripped by a story that is unique, fantastic or downright worthy of gossip. So, you Tweet it or tell your Facebook friends. They are so enamoured by the content of the status update that they go and watch the TV and, being excited, Tweet the same message or update their own Facebook page.
So, in this case, the TV network gets gerater coverage and visitors because of social media.
Where does the balance lie? I am not sure (and I think nobody is) but there is certainly a case for greater study of the part social media should be playing in the traditional media playpark.
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