Today in the News: Special Report: Media Vs. Social Media: The Good, Bad, & Ugly:

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Today in the News: Special Report: Media Vs. Social Media: The Good, Bad, & Ugly:

The early years News outlets only had a small amount of ways to release Breaking News. It was either special break ins on TV, Radio, or even Newspapers. As time went on and technology changed the news adapted but still kept it close to the old. When my parents where kids the family all huddled around their black & white (some had color) small screen TV's and radio for breaking news. When I was a kid growing up in Upstate NY (Syracuse /Buffalo) area the paper came twice a day. In the morning & an updated version in the afternoon. When the Internet came into the picture it meant the media could also use that as a tool to extend stories, Breaking stories etc. A few years ago Facebook changed the world. Every media, non-media person had an account. But with change also comes the bad & ugly because now the public could voice their opinions and it is unfiltered so now anyone who reads it can see the reaction of people. Now flash forward a couple of more years and add in twitter where you can get real time updates on everything. A player on a sports team can announce he has signed a contract with a team,  much like many Undrafted FA players did such as D'Rick Rogers of Buffalo Bills after the NFL Draft in late April.  Media can now break stories (sometimes inaccurately) as CNN showed during the Boston Terror situation. Twitter could also be said to have played a major role in saving the NBA Sacramento Kings  from moving to Seattle. It is also used to threaten people if a reader doesn't like your opinion, your play on the field. Social media plays a part in Presidential elections. Some media outlets now use Google+ for viewers to hangout and talk about hot topics of the day and at the same time get to know the news anchor, go behind the scenes of a newscast via webcam like Stefanie Cruz of Fox40 has done during her taping of the Fox40 Viewers Voice segments. Entertainment shows such as Mark at the Movies with Mark S. Allen uses Skype to get movie fans reviews of a movie, Good Day Sacramento will also use Skype or Google+ to speak to news makers in other states, countries or just for viewers to answer the #9amtopic. Sometimes on the weekend show Cody & Amy use it so viewers can watch the show & talk to them in the studio throughout. So my question for News10, CBS13, & KCRA 3 why do they not use the video feeds for viewer involvement.... My guess is the networks will not allow since they are affiliates of ABC CBS & NBC. So why is social media bad? Because of the Social media sites being unfiltered the anchors and producers of the shows need to go through each comment so that no foul language is shown on air because if it is they could face fines with FCC. So why do people do it? They are able to hide behind a computer screen and it makes them feel invincible to those in which they may be insulting. Calling a person fat from a photo, name calling others on the site, anchors, or pro athlete doesn't really make you a good person because what they don't take into consideration is these people in the spotlight also have feelings. Calling out a person because they don't respond to your tweet, Facebook post over something you don't like or your response is not read over the aircan & still get you in trouble with law enforcement. So yes it's okay to voice your opinion but remember before you press send be careful what you are asking for. As former NFL coach will say... "Don't press send." In addition when you submit a comment and/or photo remember others are doing the same and the media/anchors are on time constraints so it may not be seen during the segment. Social media has changed our world because like our parents who sat around TV and radio we now await news on twitter or Facebook. The media vs. social media debate is here for along time to come and so will the good the bad and the ugly. Lets just all remember to be a little nicer & remember the feelings for others before pressing send.