#sharingonline

Vee x Bassie !

I can write. I am a good writer. I enjoy writing!

I say this as I write simple sentences.

The point is... I loved writing on here. Reading back on a few of my old posts, I realize how much value I have even if no one really reads these posts. The question is, do I write so that others can read, or do I write in hopes of others finding it?

In Australia we experience natural disasters every year, these being mainly bushfires and floods. There is not much we can do about natural disasters other than being prepared. People who live in places where natural disaster are likely to occur often do have a plan. The rest of us though just like to be kept up to date with what is going on. The public usually finds out about natural disasters by radio and television.  Television shows are likely to have extended broadcast to keep viewers up to date with new information and the radio has frequent updates. However in recent years social media has become a vital tool to help share information when it comes to natural disasters.

Crowdsourcing is the use of social media to share information in particular when a disaster has happened. This was demonstrated in the recent bushfires in the Adelaide hills in South Australia. The SA Country Fire Service used Facebook and twitter to update residence about the ongoing fire and the progress they are making with the fire (SA Country Fire Service 2015). This therefore allows information to be shared and re-tweeted to reach more people who may be affected by the fire. Even the online newspaper had a twitter feed so readers would not miss out on any news (Baril 2012).

Crowdsourcing can be an a very positive use of social media, however since people can share so much information, sometimes the wrong information is shared, which can make a situation worse. Ford explained that this was a main focus for many countries, a tag of verified or not verified would be places on reports so the public would know what information is reliable (2012, p.38). It is important to look at where you are getting your information from, yes it might be social media but make sure it is a credible page or site, such as a news page rather than one of your followers or Facebook friends just sharing information that they overheard.

Reference List-

Baril, G 2014, Latest bushfire, weather and public transport information for South Australia, viewed 17 January 2015, <http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/latest-bushfire-weather-and-public-transport-information-for-south-australia/story-fnl1ee8j-1226800945513?nk=125fea6bffb1223377fd05c8f97689d4>>

Ford, H 2012, 'Crowd Wisdom', Index on Censorship, vol. 41, no. 4, pp. 33-39.

SA Country Fire Service 2015, SA Country Fire Service Facebook, Viewed 17 January 2015, <https://www.facebook.com/CFSUpdates>.