News is in the palm of your hand.

I remember growing up as a child listening to the 6 o’clock news on television in my family home. I remember hearing about major international events with ‘breaking news bulletins’ flashing across the screen. How things have changed in the years that followed. With the ever-growing presence of technology in journalism the way we receive and send out news has changed. 6 o’clock bulletins still exist but who amongst us actually watches them as a source of new and fresh ‘news’? Social media and the web in general have offered a new way for the public to not only receive the news but also experience it. The timeliness of news delivery has risen in importance. Through the avenue of Twitter, as well as various other forms of social media, news is now a 24hour process, providing the audience with a real-time flow of information and news. That’s not to say traditional forms of news media are finished but the way in which ‘breaking news’ gets out is and has been evolving for some time.

I was recently shown the following video during a seminar run at the University of Newcastle. It sheds some light on Twitter and its impact on the world of journalism.

There is of course opposition to social media and its potentially harmonious relationship with journalism. With many believing that Twitter is in fact assisting the decline of journalism. The Australian in fact wrote an editorial about this very fact. In response to this Bronwen Cune wrote an opinion piece for The Guardian putting forth her belief that “platforms such as Twitter and Facebook are wonderful tools for journalists”.

Whether or not Twitter and social media in general is beneficial for journalism is certainly up for debate. Whilst these new and emerging platforms have their faults, with verification and the credibility of information often in question, it is my belief that they are powerful tools for journalists. It does however remain the responsibility of the journalist to effectively and accurately use social media so as to maximise its potential for the public. Maybe I’ll sit down and watch the 6 o’clock news tonight for old times sake.