How Social Media Killed and Resurrected Kim Jong Un
On Friday morning, February 10th 2012, North Korean dear leader Kim Jong Un was assassinated. Via Weibo, a China based social media website comparable to Twitter, it was announced that Kim had been assassinated in a potential coup. News spread through the social media website(close to 12,000 immediate forwards) and then onto traditional news outlets and throughout Twitter itself. At 7:14 pm Friday, it was announced that Kim Jong Un was actually fine, followed by global retweets of retraction.
How have new media outlets shaped our consumption of news? If we had all waited for the printed paper the following morning we would not have been wrapped up in the hype or contributed to the rumors. Instead, we are faced with unfounded facts, perpetuated by supposed reliable sources. Is fact checking the factor that separates old media and new media?
Perhaps this is the responsibility we lay at the feet of traditional news outlets, fact checks. Important news that can potentially shake stock markets should not be left to the amateurs of twitter. Instead, news papers, television networks, and other news sources should differentiate themselves by vetting information for consumption.
Twitter and Facebook are excellent sources of opinion and allow for unique views of events. Even on their own can prove resourceful in verifying information, creating a smorgasbord of tasty news treats. We’ve also shown how powerful social media can be, a hive mind running wild, swept up in hysteria. It’s no wonder businesses strive daily to harness this perpetual marketing machine.
However, I don’t think we are ready for old media to be replaced by the new guys just yet. There is room for both. I like my news accurate, with a side of thousands of verified amateurs.
Be sure to attend the next Social Media Club of Evansville event, where Ryan Reynolds of the Evansville Courier and Press will be discussing changes in online and print media. The event will be held at Ri Ra Irish Restaurant and Pub on Monday, February 20th, starting at 6:00 pm.
Please comment below if you have any questions to ask Ryan Reynolds or discuss the importance of new and old media working to coexist.
