Differentiate the functions of blogs, Facebook and Twitter. In addition, what role do they play to co-exist with the traditional media?

In this fast moving century, smart phone allows us to get in touch with friends, family or even strangers from all around the world through social media networks such as blogs, Facebook and Twitter. With the convenience of all these devices, three of these social medias were made available to consumer with just a click away. According to the recent survey done by Swartz (2013) on Technorati website, Facebook has the highest popularity where managers choose to let their brand going social which is 91% followed by twitter which is 85% and blog 32%.

A blog is a website published online that allows readers to read and leave comment. There is no specific rules on how to blog, the content of the blog can be the author’s personal site that shares about his personal life, express his thoughts and opinion, a discussion over some topic or even a platform for the blogger to market his products (Blooger.com 2013).

Facebook is a free social networking site online that allows the registered users to make friend with other registered users from all walks of life by creating their own profiles, share pictures and video on their profiles or even sending personal messages to friends. “Facebook's mission is to make the world more open and connected” (Facebook.com 2013).

Twitter is a “micro blog” with 140 characters limit for each tweet. “It is a real-time information network that connects people to the latest stories, ideas, opinions and news about what you find interesting” (Twitter.com 2013). Twitter allows users to post pictures, video and conversations. Users are able to see the whole story by just giving the tweet a glance in one place. According to O'Donnell (2011), Twitter provides a window into the broader world of digital conversations.

            The mass media plays the role to inform, to educate and to influence opinion. According to Nagasvare (2013), “These distinctive features of traditional media have been challenged by new media, which is changing the participation habits of the audience”. It has been seen that the Traditional media is now served as a companion and an important source of information for the audience. In a survey conducted by Monica (2013), about 91 % of journalists and 71% of bloggers claimed that the quality and standard of new media were not maintained as compared to the traditional medias. Because there is no specific rules in blogging hence 90% of journalists also consider that the credibility of blogging is relatively low compared to traditional medias.

Reference Lists

Blogger.com 2013, What’s a blog?, viewed 14 April 2013 < https://www.blogger.com/tour_start.g>.

Facebook.com 2013, About, viewed 14 April 2013 < https://www.facebook.com/facebook>.

Monica, 2013, Socially Inept: Can Old and New media successfully coexist?, Axicom-benelux.com, viewed 14 April 2013, < http://www.axicom-benelux.com/insights/socially-inept-can-old-and-new-media-successfully-coexist>.

Nagasvare, K 2013, New Media vs Traditional Media, Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development, viewed 14 April 2013, <http://www.aibd.org.my/node/1226>.

O’Donnell, C 2011, New study quantifies use of social media in Arab Spring, University of Washington, viewed 14 April 2013 < http://www.washington.edu/news/2011/09/12/new-study-quantifies-use-of-social-media-in-arab-spring/>. 

Swartz, J 2013, Technorati Media’s 2013 Digital Influence Report, Technorati.com, viewed 14 April 2013 <http://technorati.com/business/article/technorati-medias-2013-digital-influence-report/>. 

Twitter.com 2013, About, viewed 14 April 2013 <https://www.twitter.com/About>.