The News: Important and Everywhere

    I recently subscribed to CNN's multiple social networking sites, as well at their traditional website. From Facebook to Twitter, these sites have enabled me to stay up to date on the news in a way I have never been able to before this. In the push of a button, I can go to CNN's Facebook page on my cellphone and read an up-to-date news article along with thousands of people's comments and opinions. I can also easily access the full article by the link that is always attached to the Facebook post. Their Twitter page is similiar, in the way that I can quickly access their page and read about current issues. However, I do not personally like Twitter in comparison to Facebook because I feel that I can not read other people's posts and opinions as quickly and as organized as I can on Facebook. On their website, of course, there is every article ever written. While this is nice because you can find anything you are looking for, I find it mind boggling and hard to navigate because I don't know where to start.
   Being subscribed to CNN in these ways is something I have learned to thoroughly enjoy. It a way to keep me informed of what is going on in the world in a way that connects with me. Growing up in the technology era has definitely pushed me away from wanted to pick up a news paper every day and read. Therefore, this form of micro-blogging is something I am drawn to, and it makes me a better person by keeping myself informed of current events.
   As much as I agree and enjoy this form of micro-blogging journalism, there are many journalists who are against it because they believe that using social networking sites can be inaccurate in misleading. They are concerned with the fact that it allows anyone to comment whatever they please, which can lead to rumors and inaccuracies about the news. On the other hand, there are individuals such as Alfred Hermida, who disagree with these opinions and suggests that, "the institutionally structured features of micro-blogging are creating new forms of journalism. I suggest that micro-blogging presents a multi-faceted and fragmented news experience." This, I agree with. People will talk regardless of whether there are places to type their opinions on or not. Rumors will spread and people will believe inaccurate information for as long as the news is around. What I think micro-blogging journalism does is allow people from around the world to join their opinions and talk about them. They can debate, express, and inform others of their views on the news and join together, which I think is an amazing thing.