| The popularity of social networks sites have | | | | As is often said in basketball, 'Nothing but Net!' |
| positioned these online communities to be considered | | | | Syndicated networks for the most part still have |
| as more than just social gathering spots. | | | | certain 'hoops' thru which they must 'jump' before |
| Recent history has demonstrated how these social | | | | releasing information. This may tend to slow their |
| platforms are quite capable of distributing news or | | | | process. |
| information quickly and efficiently. | | | | No 'Red Tape' or Protocol |
| Read on to see why these popular online social sites | | | | Without the traditional 'red tape' or protocol that |
| can in fact gather and transfer news more rapidly | | | | syndicated news networks contend with online |
| than even the syndicated news networks. | | | | communities hold an unfair advantage. The legalese |
| Social networking sites offer people online a gathering | | | | involving fair play, accuracy, and ethics do encumber |
| spot to casually share their opinions and interests | | | | syndicated networks. The lack of such restraints |
| with other like-minded participants. Recent events | | | | however concerning online communities does 'allow' |
| however have indicated how effective these online | | | | for information to be dispensed much faster to the |
| communities are for breaking news on a national and | | | | general public. |
| international level. | | | | Word Gets Out Quicker |
| Although interest or opinions may vary from group | | | | News tends to flow from person to person and |
| to group there still remains a common interest in | | | | often time is simply broadcast to the masses. The |
| national or world news. Considering these social | | | | net result is that information spreads virally and this |
| platforms connect people from all over the world on | | | | word of mouth effect should not be overlook for its |
| a 24/7 basis you're looking at their considerable | | | | efficiency and speed. There is no 'formal' channel |
| potential as information sources. | | | | through which information is directed which means |
| What we're focusing on here is the ability of these | | | | word is spread continuously, not at scheduled |
| social sites to gather and circulate late breaking news. | | | | intervals. This process 'increases' both speed and just |
| Compared with the more traditional syndicated news | | | | as importantly exposure. |
| networks it can be argued that social network sites | | | | No Regulated Responsibilities |
| are in fact more efficient and expedient in delivering | | | | Within any social network community there is no |
| news to the public. Take that CNN! By passing | | | | delegation of duties, responsibilities or authority. You |
| information along through word of mouth using the | | | | are looking at a world-wide community with the |
| speed of the internet news that travels this fast is | | | | capability of filling any role that may seem |
| hard to beat. | | | | appropriate at any given time. From observing an |
| Let's examine 5 reasons why a social network online | | | | event or translating its meaning to distributing the |
| can outperform the more traditional news | | | | information this flexibility and spontaneity enables |
| broadcasting networks. | | | | news to be collected and spread like a wild fire. |
| News Collected as it Occurs | | | | This lack of structure is built for speed but on the |
| Social platforms do not 'assign' people to gather news | | | | other hand can lead to occasional inaccuracies in |
| or information but instead are merely designed to | | | | reporting facts. |
| share information or interests. Site members do | | | | Social networking sites have both the channels and |
| however possess an insatiable and natural curiosity. | | | | the manpower to deliver late breaking news at |
| Just through sheer numbers members combine to | | | | lightning speed. Using word of mouth to spread |
| create a catch basin of global proportions. As a result | | | | information social sites possess the ability to transmit |
| they are capable of collecting information of little or | | | | news unencumbered by any red tape further |
| great consequence anywhere in the world on a 24/7 | | | | accelerating the transfer of this information. It is not |
| basis. | | | | suggested that online communities replace syndicated |
| Information Transmitted Fast | | | | news networks as news source but merely that |
| Any information picked up either through heresy or | | | | they can compliment them if needed. Social network |
| observation is usually immediately 'released' on the | | | | sites based upon their prominence on the internet |
| internet. To date there is no more efficient means | | | | possess the potential to be much more than they |
| with which to dispense information to the general | | | | were designed for and this should not be ignored. |
| public quicker than the net. | | | | |