Was News International Twittered?

Whatever you think of the current firestorm swirling its way through our Parliament, media and police, the pace of this story itself is breath taking.  In less than two weeks it has upset the financial plans of a global powerbroker and looks set to transform how national institutions interact in the public interest too. 

Whilst the story itself has been driven no doubt by the ‘traditional’ 24/7 media, the sheer speed of the story’s development feels new.  The effect of social media?  Surely, yes when you consider how Twitter targeted News of the World’s advertisers.  Why? Both media and politicians can tell in real time if they are on the right track and where to go next with a story. 

Perhaps social media’s biggest contribution is the speed it can accelerate an issue,  in this case, to devastating effect.