On Twitter, we are all consumers, digesters, and creators of content. For those accounts who have been here for a while, it is common to use Twitter as a source of information and news. The site is known for its real-time, instant updating that promises to keep Twitter streams informed about events.
But when a story such as the Tucson shootings occurs, Twitter can be its own worst enemy, an information overload of inaccuracies, heated opinions, catcalling, personal opinions, and personal attacks. Debate in the public stream could create incorrect information. It could lead to more hate that goes against the desire to be civil and respectful. Twitter, although quick, compact, and scannable, is not the definitive informative source of news or informed, rational opinion. However, profiles can work hard to change that perception, and while this frenzy of tweets and links and opinions continues, we might all benefit from pausing about this tragedy and learning how best you can use Twitter to control the barrage of #Giffords tweets unrelated to the actual story and investigation.
Here are some suggestions that we think could help refine how you get news of this tragedy with Twitter:
- Post facts about the story. Set up a good example that other profiles can model. One thing I like to do is listen to press conferences and try to tweet out what the principals are saying. This type of tweetcasting gives my stream information that is targeted, focused, attributable, and accurate. Add a hashtag to the tweet and there is a better chance that is enhances the public stream in a good way.
- Confirm the link sources and information before sharing news links. For example, NPR erroneously reported that Giffords had died yesterday afternoon and put it on the web. The Twitter stream was quick to RT it. It was an error and even though NPR is a responsible outlet, other outlets didn’t report it. When sharing news, it’s best to check to make sure other outlets confirm the information.
- Use Twitter lists to identify accurate coverage. For this story, we created a list of local Arizona media outlets, since they were the first to respond and have done an incredible and responsible job. Their tweets are immediate as well. We also like to use TweetChat when we want to see a flowing stream since it allows you to tweet without adding the hashtag every time.
- If you are going to comment, be respectful. Yes, who didn’t know about the Sarah Palin target hair map yesterday? It was all over Twitter, and people were passionate. Now, we respect freedom of speech, but personal attacks on Twitter between people is just wrong and also distracts people from the core issues of the story. This is not about Sarah Palin, unless the investigation proves that there was a direct correlation between the map and the suspect’s motive to commit this heinous act. If we are going to have a discussion about angry rhetoric and its relationship to political violence, then let’s have it, but at least let’s not attack people on Twitter. It adds to the frenzy and hype and quite frankly it does nothing to the debate, in our opinion. Yesterday when we started tweeting about the press conference, a few profiles called us an “idiot” and said we were adding to the “hate,” that we were part of the Twitter conspiracy to discredit Palin. We don’t think so. We are using social media to inform both ourselves and others in our stream. Relax, Twitter, take a breath and get the whole story. The whole issue of political civility needs to be practiced everywhere, even on social media.
We will be following up with more posts about how social media is playing a role in this tragedy. In the meantime, we pray for the victims who died and the people who are still recovering. Stay civil, everyone.
Very good post, Julio. Thank you.
More to come. Thanks, Maria, for commenting. We can have a debate, people just need to chill. Right?
I just found your blog (through Twitter) and look forward to reading it more regularly. Thank you for being a calm voice in the frenzy of such a tragedy.
Thank you, Cindy, for taking the time comment and read the post. Welcome.
Like Cindy I found your twitter stream to be a model of calm civility in the midst of fire and hell.
As an observer of humanity I’ve been fascinated (and yes, sometimes disgusted) by what I’ve seen on twitter these past 24 hours. I disagreed with those that said it was a time to be silent and I was alarmed by those who were acutely on guard. One person tweeted, “Be warned: I am watching how you respond to this.” -As if others weren’t watching, and as if it matters one iota if one tweep stops following another tweep.
My response to the frenzy was to engage what I perceived to be less than rational tweeting from a few people I suspected were better than that, hoping they might pause a moment and think about what they were doing. After all, I felt my own buttons being pushed in uncomfortable ways.
It’s disconcerting to see people responding in ways that will foster the very things they hate. Thank you Julio, for setting a good example.
Thank you so much for visiting this blog and for the kind comments. I think the last point of all this is that sad irony of it all.
This is a very well written piece, my friend! Thank you for your dedication and for your information this weekend. It has been invaluable!
Thanks, Tony. Once the facts of the case start coming in and we get a clearer picture of motive for this crime, then the issues that influenced the crime will be interesting to discuss.