The various social media sites have had a tremendous impact on how news reaches the people in this world. Even till a decade back, a government would survive even if there was a massive disconnect between what he promises and what he delivers. But now there is a vehicle to connect information and people. In recent months we have seen protesters take on the government by organized street rallies, sign online petitions and reach out to more people. Social media sites like twitter and facebook has made information reach people faster and more accurately.
Social media as such by its design promotes democracy! It presents the government and its leaders with challenges, challenges where they have to constantly live upto their promise! There are a couple of instances where I have seen people, ya, ordinary people take up social media to reach out to the needy.
During the recent mumbai blasts (13/7), large number of people not only offered others a free ride home but also provided them with accommodation for the night stay! people used #google docs, #twitter and #facebook to reach out the needy. Injured people who needed blood were able to connect to possible donors and when the phone lines were dead, people used twitter to communicate their safety to their relatives.
The present uprising of the people of India against corruption and the inefficiency of the government in tackling corruption has also been vastly helped by social media sites. People were able to communicate about fasting sites to large number of people. My own parents took part in a candle light march in marina beach after coming to know about it via a twitter! such has been the reach...
Even in corporate level, social media sites have come to their rescue during difficult times. Most of us would have seen the youtube video showing two disgruntled employees contaminating the food they were about to deliver..it become a rage then..It was a nightmarish week for the company. dominos fired back via youtube and twitter...they uploaded their own video what they were doing to fix the situation..this way they could connect directly to their customers..dominos were able to come out unscathed from this potentially catastrophic event..such is the power of social media..
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