The Hudson River plane crash, the death of Michael Jackson, the capture of Osama Bin Laden- these are just a few of many major news stories that ordinary citizens have broken on social media. The power of outlets like Facebook and Twitter has empowered individuals as reporters with the ability to greatly influence mass communication. Whether it is coverage of a local event, the attempt to raise awareness for a cause, or the release of a breaking story, social media now plays a key role in both the cause and effect of real world events.

Matt Buchanan, blogger for The New Yorker, recently posted on this subject in response to social media’s role in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombings. Buchanan writes, “The issue, in part is velocity: news has never moved faster than it does now, and few events of the past several years have captured America’s attention like the Boston bombings.” Buchanan attributes social media’s immediacy to its great influence in world events. Let’s take a look at a few of these instances and examine how social media aided in the spread of information:

Boston Marathon Bombings – According to a report by Pew Research Center, 26% of Americans turned to social media websites as a source of information during the recent tragedies at the Boston Marathon. Unlike other news sources, the social channels were able to provide real time reports and overcome the challenges of interrupted cellular networks. Immediately following the events, communication across social networks became a primary means for participants and individuals at the scene to get in touch with family and friends. Facebook and Twitter posts announcing personal safety proved to be a strong source of comfort during a time of such chaos.

Egyptian Revolution – Social media proved to be both a spark and an accelerant during in the 2011 Egyptian Revolution. Facebook provided activists with a platform for organization while Twitter served as a means to spread their message. These efforts combined to rally participation and unite the country during a time of violence and chaos. Twitter provided an opportunity for people to show their support not only within Egypt but across the entire globe. The impact of this allowed for enhanced international media coverage with facts based on these primary, firsthand accounts. This not only improved the international perception of the country but helped to avoid misinformation and inaccurate reports.

2009 Iranian Presidential Elections – The 140 character limit of Twitter did not stop Iranians from rallying together during the 2009 Presidential Election. After powerful online attacks against president Ahmadinejad, the government shut off Internet access throughout the country in an attempt to prevent citizens from utilizing social sites like YouTube for political purposes. Without the ability to access mobile phone services including text messaging as a result of these restrictions, Iranians turned to the power of Twitter as their central line of communication. Twitter allowed citizens to align their efforts in finding tactics to get around the restrictions and spread their beliefs. The major role Twitter played during this time led to these events being nicknamed the “Twitter Revolution.”

As the trend toward Internet and social media-based news continues, it’s important to remember that the timeliness of these sources does not always guarantee trustworthiness. As experienced during the Boston Marathon bombings as well as other recent events, the use of these channels can often lead to misinformation and privacy risks. Fast doesn’t always mean factual- making it important to check all reports with a trusted news source.