Here's the latest 4MR audio report from MediaShift. This week I look at the positive -- and negative -- way the Internet, blogs and Twitter have spread information about the swine flu. There are great resources, maps and tracking sites, but it's easy to get in a panic as well. Also, Disney joined up in the video site Hulu, putting pressure on CBS, the only major U.S. TV network not a part of the joint venture. I ask "Just One Question" to Peter Shane, executive director of the Knight Commission on the Information Needs of Communities in a Democracy.
Check it out:
Background music is "What the World Needs" by the The Ukelele Hipster Kings via PodSafe Music Network
Here are some links to related sites and stories mentioned in the podcast:
Tracking Internet Chatter Helps Spot Swine Flu Outbreak at Wired Science
Swine flu: Twitter's power to misinform at Foreign Policy
How to: Track Swine Flu Online at Mashable
Facebook maps the swine flu hysteria at News.com
ABC to Add Its Shows to Videos on Hulu at NY Times
CBS dances alone ... for now at LA Times
Building the Ideal Community Information Hub at MediaShift
Here's a graphical view of last week's MediaShift survey results:
Also, be sure to vote in our poll about swine flu on MediaShift!
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3 comments so far, Add Yours
Steven said:
May 2, 2009 8:29 AM
I'm not all that concerned about us getting the swine flu but when my wife got a letter home from the school to inform all the parents about it shes been in a panic and probably b/c of all the people blowing the thing out of proportion.
I'm going to have her check out the links you left so she can get some more stable info and maybe calm down a little. Thanks Steven
Mark Glaser said:
May 2, 2009 11:09 AM
Hi Steven,
I think there's a lot of good information online about swine flu, but it's very easy to get into a panic mode about it. I would definitely focus more on what you can get from the CDC and gov resources than from CNN, Fox and other news outlets that have been pretty sensational in coverage.
Austin said:
May 3, 2009 1:51 PM
Well, for me. I would rather not to believe immediately on what social media posted regarding swine flu because sometimes, posters on social media sites are too much exaggerated to post a very important news that might lead to the readers more on a panic side especially on this deadly virus from swine. People must be aware and choose the right media on how they could get the right information on a particular news for them to be able to decide precisely and wisely on how to be able to make precautionary measures.
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