Question

read the excerpt from \the role of social media in the arab uprisings\ by heather brown, emily guskin, and amy mitchell.
passing along information is an important part of the news process. earlier project for excellence in journalism research finds the role of twitter in disseminating breaking news is not limited to the arab uprisings—the death of whitney houston, for example, was announced on twitter 55 minutes prior to the associated press confirming the story.
twitter, facebook and other new media offer ways for the arab - american news media to reach audiences, but also pose a threat to smaller outlets. in addition to keeping up with the online presence of larger news organizations, arab - american media are forced to compete with user - generated content that is rapidly available to audiences. the utility of social media in
what reasons do the authors give to support the claim that social media both helps and threatens smaller media outlets? select two options.
☐ small news outlets experience challenges when trying to compete with larger news outlets.
☐ information is sometimes shared on social media before it is released by traditional media.
☐ both small and large news organizations also depend on user - generated content.
☐ both social media and traditional news organizations cover egypt’s presidential elections.
☐ news organizations must compete with one another and with social media to reach audiences.

Explanation:

1. Analyze each option:

• Option 1: Talks about small outlets competing with larger ones, but doesn't show how social media helps or threatens. Eliminate.
• Option 2: Shows social media helps smaller outlets by sharing info before traditional media (helps in breaking news), and also, since smaller outlets have to compete with this user - generated/social media - shared info, it's a threat. This supports the claim.
• Option 3: States both small and large depend on user - generated content. For smaller outlets, using user - generated content can be a help (access to content), but competing with user - generated content (which is rapidly available) is a threat. This supports the claim.
• Option 4: Just says both cover elections, doesn't relate to how social media helps or threatens smaller outlets. Eliminate.
• Option 5: Talks about competition in general, not specific to how social media helps and threatens smaller outlets. Eliminate.

Answer:

B. Information is sometimes shared on social media before it is released by traditional media.
C. Both small and large news organizations also depend on user - generated content.