Twitter (X)

Perhaps no topic in technology attracted more attention in 2011 than the rise of social media and its potential impact on news. “If searching for news was the most important development of the last decade, sharing news may be among the most important of the next,” we wrote in a May 2011 report analyzing online news behavior called Navigating News Online.

One particular performer at the February 12 Grammy ceremonies triggered a torrent of conversation in the social media last week. And much of that discussion included anger directed the awards, the singer and even some of his fans.

After the furor over its decision to defund Planned Parenthood, the Susan G. Komen foundation reversed course and a key official resigned.

Between May 2 and Nov. 27 of this year, there were more than 1.1 million postings on Twitter about Republican presidential hopeful Ron Paul. He received far more discussion on social media than in the traditional news outlets.

A new PEJ study of the Twitter campaign conversation using computer technology reveals how the White House hopefuls fared, examines differences between the political discussions on Twitter and blogs, and updates the tone of the candidates’ news narratives.

Twitter has been embraced by news organizations today, but is used in limited ways, according to a new study by the Project for Excellence in Journalism and The George Washington University.

A 16-point Twitter-adoption gap separates black online adults and white online adults.

Among online adults, 13% use the status update service Twitter.

Despite its growth as a tool in the world of new media, Twitter does not yet drive a substantial amount of traffic to news websites.

13% of online adults use Twitter, and half of Twitter users access the service "on the go" via mobile phone.