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Facebook Page Devoted to the Death of Bin Laden
Alright, so it may not be groundbreaking news now that Osama Bin Laden is dead, especially after the viral surge on Sunday night, following the discovery.
Facebook statuses, Tweets, and breaking news television segments galore followed the announcement of Bin Laden’s death. Even the morning after, there were tweets and statuses galore dedicated to this, including tons of news articles reporting on the matter. There is even a pinpoint on Google Maps where Bin Laden died. Basically, the only way you could have not found out about this is if you were hiding out in the desert, under a rock.
Mashable, everyone’s favorite source for news in social and digital media, conducted a poll about how people found out about Bin Laden’s death. Interestingly enough, television– the medium that everybody would normally find out by if it were 10 years ago – was number four, following first place Twitter with 36% of total votes and second place Facebook with 19%.
The announcement of his death was actually live streamed by The White House, something we never would have seen on the internet if this were even 5 years ago. People no longer are expected to have access to a television set, just to social media.
For example, the other day I got a CNN Breaking News notification sent to my iPhone saying that there was a DNA confirmation on Osama’s death.
Do you think social media will take over the role of television as well as other various mediums to tell citizens about breaking news? Or do you think television is indispensable? We’d love to know your opinions!
Osama's Hideout
Mashable Poll regarding how people found out about Bin Laden’s death – as of Monday, May 2, 10 AM http://mashable.com/2011/05/02/osama-bin-laden-death/)
Twitter – 36.11% (5,018 votes)
Facebook - 19.18% (2,665 votes)
Other source - 16.25% (2,258 votes)
Television - 14.89% (2,069 votes)
Phone/Text - 11.3% (1,571 votes)
Instant message – 2.27% (316 votes)
Total Votes: 13,897