Social Media Analysis: Al Qaeda Bomb Threat

Social Media is used extensively in the Al Qaeda bomb threat.  Even though the bomb scare was tipped off by an informant; social media was forced not to report on the intelligence until after the bomb threat had been stabilized. The power of social media is evident in the CIA’s plea to Associated Press in not reporting the news until the operation was complete. The reports about the would be bomber exploded (no pun intended) on the internet because the capability of receiving the news on any portable smart phone is the main source of how people receive their news. 

Since the AP first released the news about the informant, everyone has been reporting the same. The credibility that AP comes from great journalism exemplified over the years. The necessary tools that it uses does include social media to add to its credibility.  The reports of the Al Qaeda bomb threat were varying in presentation, but the facts were reported without miscalculations. Most of the reports cited or sourced AP as its primary source. 

The Al Qaeda bomb threat story was presented accurately and with minimal differences on its online counterparts. In ABC World News with Diane Swayer, the story first broke out with the report being about how a bomb threat was distinguished by the authorities, with same details available online. Then, the following day, as the story developed, the story had changed to include information that an informant was assisting the CIA. The new details was updated online using similar verbiage and pictures.

The bomb threat did not bring much citizen journalism although those who did comment or mention about the Al Qaeda had opinions that ranged from being accurate to being far off from the truth. Even though citizen journalism is covered by the First Amendment, the credibility is low. Being an informed readers does call for one to take a look at other opinions and to be able to discuss and debate opinions to come to a more concrete opinion closer to the truth.