During the rioting, Twitter and Facebook were constantly providing a stream of information between people in the city and around the world. Twitter allowed people on the scene to report the news as it happened and gave the average person the chance to be a news reporter. Shortly after the rioting happened, pictures and videos began to surface on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and PicFog. Each of these social media sites provided users with a different communication tool.
Twitter turned average people into reporters. My boss was at work at King and Spadina on Saturday afternoon as protesters rampaged the city. He posted pictures and updates every few minutes as they happened. He was on the street and I was far more interested in his tweets than what was being broadcast on CP24.
Another interesting aspect to Twitter is that it allowed people to connect with their loved ones instantly in a time of crisis. A speaker at Social Media Day spoke about how his sister was at work in the middle of all the chaos. He saw on TV that the front window of her store was smashed in and immediately became concerned. He jumped on his twitter, begging people on the street for information about his sister's safety. Within five minutes he had a number of replies informing him that the police were at the store and everyone was unharmed.
Although Twitter allows realtime updates and instant connections, I believe Facebook was a more influential tool during the G20. I had many friends posting their opinions and comments throughout the weekend as their Facebook status. Debates were raging before during and after the riots. In the days after the G20, pictures and videos were posted all over facebook and people were on a campaign to educate people about their side of the issue. Facebook was instrumental in sharing information and people were really trying to sway others to join in their personal opinions.
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