Learning from #Ferguson

The events unfolding in Ferguson, MO show how social media has changed the way news is communicated and framed. Social networks have also created new venues for conversations about issues like race, press freedoms and the power wielded by government.

What's on social media:

The blocks below link to search pages for some of the hashtags that social media users have created to talk about the events in Ferguson.

What's in the news:

News organizations from around the world are covering the unrest in Ferguson. Here are some ways professional journalists are telling the story.

What it all means:

  1. 1 New York Times: How the story grew online 12
  2. 2 How social media changed the conversation on #Ferguson 10
  3. 3 The difference between Facebook and Twitter 7
  4. 4 The power of photos from Ferguson 6

#ferguson

  1. 1 News about #ferguson on Twitter 4
  2. 2 #Ferguson 4
  3. 3 #Ferguson 0

Timelines:

  1. 1 Michael Brown’s Shooting and Its Immediate Aftermath in Ferguson 0
  2. 2 A Timeline Of The Crisis In Ferguson Since The Death Of Michael Brown 3
  3. 3 What’s Happened So Far 2
  4. 4 Timeline of events in Ferguson, Mo. 2
  5. 5 Michael Brown shooting in Ferguson, Mo. 1

Other issues to consider:

  1. 1 Many journalists have been arrested 0
  2. 2 Stark Racial Divisions in Reactions to Ferguson Police Shooting 0
  3. 3 Anonymous sources in the NYT 1

#mikebrown

  1. 1 #mikebrown hashtag on Twitter 1
  2. 2 Instagram & Facebook Analytics and Management Platform 1
  3. 3 365542450229012 0

Local news orgs:

  1. 1 St. Louis Post-Dispatch 0
  2. 2 KMOV.com 0
  3. 3 St. Louis Public Radio 0

Hoaxes, lies and errors

When something big happens, it’s natural to want to know what’s going on… but it’s also easier than ever before to fall for misinformation. Here are two examples out of Ferguson and some tips on interpreting breaking news.

#iftheygunnedmedown

  1. 1 How The Powerful #IfTheyGunnedMeDown Movement Changed The Conversation About Michael Brown's Death 1
  2. 2 Which Picture Would They Use? 2
  3. 3 #iftheygunnedmedown hashtag on Twitter 1

What's wrong with this photo?

What's wrong here?

  1. 1 Interesting debunking situation playing out on Twitter regarding Anonymous' r... 1

What should you believe?

  1. 1 The Breaking News Consumer's Handbook 2
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