First Credible Reports Of Bin Laden's Death Spread Like Wildfire On Twitter

The news actually hit Twitter before the President’s broadcast; CNN’s Steve Brusk first tweeted that the briefing was National Security-related at around 7:25pm PST. The first credible sign of the imminent announcement of Bin Ladin’s death came from Keith Urbahn, the Chief of Staff for former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who tweeted “I’m told by a reputable person they have killed Osama Bin Laden.” CBS news producer Jill Scott then confirmed the rumor shortly afterward with “House Intelligence committee aide confirms that Osama Bin Laden is dead. U.S. has the body.” Both Urbahn and Scott’s tweets were re-tweeted hundreds of times and Twitter itself experienced traffic spikes of 4,000 tweets per second. Unsurprisingly, “Osama Bin Laden” is now a Twitter trending topic. What’s amazing was that the news is already out before the President has even spoken.

OSAMA BIN LADEN DEAD

There is not so much news on this one other than every single media outlet basically has the words DEAD in large letters as the cover of the website. Sources report that the individual demanded anonymity in order to speak preceding President Obama. Details of this death have been sparse. Supposedly, he was killed in a military battle in Afghanistan according to MSNBC.com. CNN.com has reported that he was killed in a mansion outside Islamabad, the Pakistani capital. Hopefully, we will know more soon.

Obama Mocks Trump's Presidential Ambitions

And the battle continues. After Donald Trump continues to raise "birthed" questions regarding Obama, it appears that Obama, with the help of comedian Seth Meyers, is striking back in the media. On Saturday Obama noted, "that the billionaire businessman {Trump} could bring change to the White House, transforming it from a stately mansion into a tacky casino with a whirlpool in the garden." With Trump in the room, Obama used the White House Correspondents' Association annual dinner to mock Trump's presidential aspirations especially regarding Trump's celebrity version of "The Apprentice." Comedian Seth Meyers later noted, "I thought Trump running was just a joke." The feud continues and it appears that Obama is clearly making a mockery of Trump who simply was piggybacking on claims about Obama's birth certificate. If the Republicans intend on challenging Obama in the next election, perhaps they need a more viable candidate then Donald Trump.

Obama's Birth Certificate

The White House finally released the president's long form birth certificate in an attempt to put his “birth” question to rest. White House Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer noted, “The President believed the distraction over his birth certificate wasn't good for the country. It may have been good politics and good T.V., but it was bad for the American people and distracting from the many challenges we face as a country.” President Obama already released his birth certificate in 2008, but many nonbelievers said the absence of a long form birth certificate was questionable. In recent weeks potential GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump has brought these “birth” related questions into the forefront of the media. I guess this ends the discussion. 

How To Launch A Social Media Campaign

Most small companies instantly are turning to Facebook, LinkedIn and other established groups to boost business. According to Network Solutions, 31 percent of small firms use social media, up from 24 percent in 2009. However, that still suggests that the majority of small businesses aren’t tapping social media at all. Although a lack of time and resources plays a big role in that reluctance, there’s another reason as well: uncertainty over how to get started.

 Lee Odden, the CEO of Top Rank Marketing explains that most businesses turn to Facebook without a real reason as to why they wish to have a page. Publicity is great, but without a reason, a purpose, it is simply isn’t helping business. As he notes, "There are other consequences from not knowing the "why." For example, you might have employees from two different departments engaging with people on, say, Twitter. If they lack a common understanding of the goal, they can actually confuse customers. Knowing the "why" will allow you to have a cohesive concept of how employees should behave online as they represent the brand. Keep in mind, however, that the strategy you use to accomplish those goals should be adaptive. There simply are too many variables at play and the dynamics of the social Web change so quickly. The reality is, after six months, your hypothesis may need to shift." 

Wendy King, the president of Kazoos, notes that one must understand the kind of media that’s best suited to the target audience. For example, only 8 percent of the U.S. population is on Twitter. And the demographics prove that the users are people under the age of 45. As he says, "If you’re using Twitter as a marketing platform, then it makes sense if that’s your target market. But, if your market is baby boomers, Twitter isn’t the best choice."

From businesses to capaigns, New Media is perhaps the most vital component in terms of growth of any project. Opposing candidates like Pawlenty must ready themselves to challenge Obama, who has clearly figured out how to best reach Americans through New Media. Without excellent and efficient use of New Media, a candidate cannot hope be victorious.

Obama Re-Election Begins With New Media

President Barack Obama formally launched his re-election campaign Monday, urging supporters to mobilize again to protect and conserve the change he's brought over the past two years. The official start of his second White House bid, in the midst of three wars, a budget fight with Congress, and sluggish economic recovery, comes 20 months before the November 2012 election. However, supporters have noted that they never expected change to be easy or quick. They firmly believe President Obama will come through in the end. Republicans were quick to criticize the news. Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty released his own web video in which he says: “How can America win the future, when we're losing the present? In order for America to take a new direction, it's going to take a new president.” Much like the last election, President Obama is taking full advantage of New Media. President Obama himself acknowledged it best, “politics does not begin with expensive TV ads.” President Obama has been directing supporters to a brand new website featuring his new logo, 2012 with the rising sun in the background. The video on the website is a portion of testimonials from a demographically diverse group of backers who intend to stay involved in this campaign ensuring his victory.

I Stand Tonight With Israel

I found Glenn Beck's words to be incredibly inspirational regarding Israel recently. He explains that is is simply ludicrous to assert that Israel is standing in the way of peace when bloggers are begin jailed, homosexuals and adulterers being murdered amongst the surrounding Arab nations. I find the entire speech to be quite powerful. He uses many tactics including rephrasing all of points in question form to really give the listener a profound message. As he notes, "how many terrorists are wearing a yarmulke?" He also acknowledges that the media is trying to blame Israel. Beck asserts that it is impossible to stand my a country, namely the Arab ones, who will kill people for not joining their faith. Meanwhile, Israel promotes freedom in every regard. They will allow "Bibles and Korans" into their country. Overall, it's nice to know people are looking out for Israel. I've attached the link here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aM0DjOC74zI

Social Media A Growing Player In Elections

Although social media has been important for quite some time now regarding elections, it is ready to truly take flight in 2012. A study conducted by the Pew Research Center found that 20 percent of online users use social networking cites in order to share information about the 2010 midterm elections. Additionally, the Pew Study reported that 53 percent of Internet users went online to participate in campaign related activities. This participation ranges from watching YouTube clips or a candidate's Facebook page. Aaron Smith, a senior researcher for this Pew Study noted, "As more people live more of their lives in the social web, it becomes an important space for them to share their views and interpret what is going on in the world around them." As noted by another researcher, "we are just beginning to scratch the surface of what happens when you combine real-time web access with location services with tools that you can carry anywhere in your pocket." Although most of us already realized, social media is really beginning to take over. 

"Deadly Blast Strikes Outside Jerusalem's Central Bus Station"

"Deadly Blast Strikes Outside Jerusalem's Central Bus Station"

This was on the cover of NYTimes.com. Here is the link - www.nytimes.com/2011/03/24/world/middleeast/24israel.html?_r=&hp

After receiving comments on my previous post "Suspecting Palestinians," I would like to clarify now. While correct that the Palestinians were technically suspects, the title shifted the focus on what actually transpired. It's true I am biased which is precisely what Sophie said on my last post. As she noted, "As Jews who feel a connection to the Fogel family, we want the news to echo all the hurt and pain that we feel." It's true. It is personal and we are biased. But, at the same time, this news selection that I just posted really does depict what occurred. The use of the words "Deadly Blast" immediately put the reader into the proper frame of mind. I believe the difference in the articles may be subtle, but there is a world of difference. Love to hear your thoughts. 

"Suspecting Palestinians, Israel Seeks Killers of 5 West Bank Settlers"

"Suspecting Palestinians, Israel Seeks Killers of 5 West Bank Settlers"

As a Jew, and one is who is quite Pro-Israel, I am not naive enough to think that I am not biased in every which way. However, this article's title, published by the New York Times, found here, www.nytimes.com/2011/03/13/world/middleeast/13mideast.html, truly bothered me. "Suspecting Palestinians," immediately softens the blow. Correct, it has not been proven that they were the killers, however, it is well more than likely. I mean the real story here is that five members of the Fogel family were stabbed to death in their sleep, a cruel and disgusting way to murder. Perhaps, I'm over thinking this one, I would love to hear your thoughts. 

Better Late Than Never?

What is the role of the media and politics? Should they be more involved in Watchdog Journalism, attempting to alert Americans about the important news? Perhaps, they are responsible for boosting the country's morale. Or, maybe they're goal should be to intimidate our enemies? These type of questions must be taken into account when media breaks a story that happened a long time ago that really plays no affect on the country's future. The Press had an incredibly interesting quote regarding this topic. "A Story Told Late Is Better Than A Story Never Told, The Latter Akin To The Proverbial A Tree That Falls In The Wilderness." Personally, I'm torn on this issue. On the one hand, the truth should come out. However, it if has no impact, if it is merely just exciting, is it worth it? 

False Stories: Big Sellers

I found Chapter 19 in The Press to be a pretty interesting and insightful chapter, particularly the way the press acted prior to WWI. Hearst and Pulitzer were determined to sell papers regardless of whether the material was true or not. After discovering that war stories sell papers, Hearst encouraged his journalists to find anything, and he'll simply construct a story. He was right. These false stories drastically increased the paper's popularity. Due to these false stories, the government came down hard on the press during WWI, basically restricting them from any access to the happenings and events during the war. Interestingly enough, false stories are still hot topics today and sell millions of papers whether in the tabloids or in magazines. As I checked out at a local supermarket, I saw magazines from US Weekly to People talking about absurd stories. Perhaps some are true, but some are certainly not. As we suggested in class, the media is a business and the bottom line matters. The question becomes, at what expense?

Huckabee Slams "Sensationalized" Coverage of Comments on Obama

Republican Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee was enraged at the New York Times for "sensationalizing" comments about President Obama's birth certificate and upbringing. Huckabee noted, "I'm not surprised the NY Times chose to sensationalize this story. In fact, the New York Times, the AP, and other news organizations ran with the "sensationalized story" despite being specifically told by [WOR radio host] Steve Malzberg himself that they were incorrect in their assessment of the sound bite. You just can't help but laugh when my simple slip of the tongue, becomes a huge story - and a certain Presidential candidate claiming to visit all 57 states, gets widely ignored." Huckabee accidentally said that Obama spent time in Kenya, when he simply meant to say Indonesia, giving Obama a different perspective. Additionally, Huckabee reconfirmed that he has no issue with Obama's birth certificate. 

In order to really show how media headlines can spin a story, I will display The Ticket's headline versus Fox News's headline.

"Huckabee Falsely Claims Obama Was Raised in Kenya"

"Huckabee Clarifies "Kenya" Remark about Obama" 

China's Social Media Used To Find Missing Children

In China, social media is tightly controlled in order to prevent the spread of information the government does not like. But some Chinese are learning to use social media to reunite families. Recently, Peng Gaofeng was reunited with his son, who was abducted three years ago, when he was just three. In general, Child abduction is a large problem in China with thousands of children disappearing each year. Due to the large population, the government struggles to assist with the problem. Xinle's desperate father searched he country looking for him, traveling hundreds of miles. The boy has finally returned home, thanks to the reach of the Internet. Peng started a blog and alerted China's version of Twitter, known as Weibo, with postings of his son's photo in the hope that someone, somewhere, would recognize Xinle. It worked.Peng said "the power of social media had been huge in his search, and if it was not for the Internet, he would never have found this son." Peng's online pleas for help were spotted by Deng Fei, a journalist with a following of 100,000 on Weibo. Out of the goodness of his heart, he reposted Peng's worries and Xinle's photo. Deng contacted the police, and then used social media to show the wonderful reunion, which made headlines news. 



 

Vatican Say I-Phone App Can't Pardon Sins

After the I-Phone released an application designed to prepare the faithful for absolution, the Vatican warned all Catholics that it impossible to confess sins via a smartphone. Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman, noted that "it is essential to understand that the rites of penance require a personal dialogue between penitents an their confessor. It cannot be replace by a computer application." However, other Catholic officials were not opposed to the new application. Bishop Kevin Rhoades of Diocese of Fort Wayne, Indiana approved the application. It is crucial to note that the Vatican has been cautious with all sorts of social media. They have feared, like many others, that Facebook and Twitter are replacing real genuine interaction. The creators of the application, Little I-APS, explained that they are not trying to replace the standard route to confession, they are simply trying to get more people involved in the process of forgiveness.

Key Findings In 2008 Pew Study

I just found a pretty interesting piece from a 2008 pew study. It shows how media credibility has decreased sharply. Overall, the study is really cool because it basically suggests that people have simply lost trust in the newspapers, radio stations, and other sources of media outlets. For example, in 1998, it has been reported that 42% of people believed each word that they heard from CNN. This figure has dropped to around 30% only 10 years later. Here is the link - http://www.mrc.org/static/biasbasics/Exhibit2-19PewStudyFindsMediaCredibilityPlummets.aspx