Twitter- how do you use it for good

Twitter has developed into a worldwide force that does not seem to be making an exit anytime soon. With the continued, ever-changing, ever-accelerating world of media how does the truth make itself visible?

As seen in Iran during the election protests, Twitter can be a useful weapon that puts the news directly into the hands of the consumer. While media has layers of bureaucracy to shuffle through, Twitter users can post their stories directly to the public. In cases of censorship and news that is spun to improve the image of corporations, etc. this is invaluable for consumers of media to have a voice that cuts through the coats of bullshit.

Without a tool like Twitter, the public is somewhat defenseless at fighting back against main stream news organizations that often rehash and recycle ideas and ideologies of owners or religious faiths. Anytime a reporter considers themselves unbiased, it is a feeble attempt to cover-up their inadequacies at seeing an issue from everyone's perspective. Twitter helps bring to the table more and more perspectives that can create vastly different views on the news, and give reader's a better breadth of context to digest the events happening in the world.

Problems arise from Twitter that need to be accounted for. With power in everyone's hands, what can be trusted as quality news, how do you identify gossip, and what is a ploy for media attention? Tiger Woods' public image, which he has carefully groomed for years, has been shattered to pieces over the course of days. Even though he has not been convicted, let alone accused of a crime he has endured rumors ranging from drugs to domestic assault. At looking at the facts however, naturally people begin to assume and piece together the situation as best they can. This leads to melodramatic Twitter updates about him lying in a pool of blood or how he was off to see a mistress.

Partially however, the blame must be placed on Woods himself. His public statements and secrecy on the issue has left the public questioning. The burden of stardom and the cost of the millions of dollars in winnings and advertising is not free. As long as he excepts his pay checks, he has made himself available to criticism. No person is forcing him to play golf professionally.

That being said it is hard to justify the attacks this episode has garnered. The blatant disregard for the truth is difficult to stomach for his sake. To tear a person down for the benefit of one's own sake is short term gain that will not lead to lasting success, but is a continuing habit of giving so many a weapon like Twitter. To expect the system not to be abused by a percentage of the users would be naive.

The question then becomes how does a news organization relay information that is fact and help readers identify the gossip. Being fair and balanced is not an option in this case. Just by deciding which stories should be reported on and which have not a journalist has forfeited the right to any notion of this. Accepting their limitations news organizations are responsible for sitting back and sorting out the quality news from the noise. Both sides do not deserve the same amount of coverage just because they are conflicting views on a similar subject.