After reading the first chapter of Ethan Zuckerman’s Rewire, one theme stuck with me when I tried to observe how modern social media impacts my relationships: credible news sources.
.@EthanZ The Tunisian revolution is 1 example of how platforms such as Twitter have the ability to emerge as a credible news source #NHsmc
— Aysha Seedat (@ayshaseedat) February 1, 2016
Ethan Zuckerman highlights the Tunisian revolution as an example of how the Internet failed the world in providing proper news coverage. While there are conspiracy theories on why non-Tunisian news outlets didn’t cover this meltdown, it’s important to note that events, like the revolution, while unheard of, are incredibly important. How are modern social media impacting my relationships?
In massive ways. In my role as student body president, it’s integral for me to pay very close attention to the well-being and feelings of students at Syracuse University. Platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter, are often good indicators and a place where many students express their thoughts.
3 black students at SUNY Albany report racial assault by 10-12 whites on city bus https://t.co/qyVH82Ij4H
— syracuse.com (@syracusedotcom) January 31, 2016
This incident, 3 black students being assaulted by 10-12 white students on a bus, happened on Friday and there has been little coverage about it. Even I heard about it through a colleague of mine at SUNY Oswego. It’s important for me and for the University administration that I catch these sorts of incidents because I need to be listening. I need to know that our students are hurting before syracuse.com does. I need to make sure accountability is taken, which isn’t the case in this situation because there have been no arrests.
Last year, there was a sit-in in Crouse Hinds held by a group composed of students called THE General Body. My predecessor did not catch the exchanges of thought before it imploded into this. It’s one small example of why I heavily use Twitter and Facebook and why I’m taking this class!