Twitter, blogging and the revolution

Wednesday the 2nd of February it became all clear again. Blogging, twitter, and other social media are hot and happening. It contributes in providing the hottest news. In 'De Wereld Draait Door', a Dutch actuality programme, the influence of the new media on the provision of info about the demonstrations in Egypt was discussed. New information is not provided by the news papers or TV anymore, hell no... that takes way too long! Novelties are provided by 'live blogs'. To know what is happening on the streets at that very time journalists keep track of the Egyptians' stories online.

The hunger for fresh news isn't new of course. During the Gulf War, CNN was reporting back to the people every hour. This was unknown for the time. Critics though one channel would give a biased view of the situation. The possibility nowadays to keep track of all possible channels, even Ali's one, gives us a complete view of what is really happening. Still, Ali can write whatever he wants so channels, like online news papers, do acknowledge they need to filter out the true stories.

Besides, many journalists are in Egypt. They can directly respond to questions asked on twitter. Twitter can now be used as a public notebook and provide interessees with instant information. People can also put little (amateur) movies on, for example, youtube.com. Everyone can see with their own eyes what's happening!

Then another question arises: 'Does all this media instigate the revolution?' The answer reflects the bigger problem; lack of freedom. Few people have internet, and the ones who do are monitored closely to make sure they don't send the 'wrong' (in the eyes of the Egyptian government) information to the rest of the world. Still the government can't control the foreign TV stations, which enforces the people and gives them strength.

Lastly, news experts advise to keep track of AL JAZEERA and to follow the right people on twitter to get good information. This is new media, new journalism... a new world!

Here you can see the broadcast of 'De Wereld Draait Door' on 02-02-2011