I pulled the headlines (below) from Google News. On one level the use of social to counter the rioters is heartening. On another level the huge emphasis that the mainstream media gave to the 'Internet patrols,' as against the relatively light coverage given to the on-foot citizen patrols points to a disturbing trend, which manifested full-blown during Egypt's 'revolution': the attempt to give social media a much greater role and signifance in the struggle for freedom than it merits.
The same happened with press coverage of the mass protests that led to Mubarak's ouster. The citizen patrols in Cairo and other cities in Egypt that were formed to protect civilian life and property during the widespread arson and looting that descended -- patrols often working in tandem with the police, who'd led their offcials posts -- were an example of a true counterswarm tactic.
Yet publics around the world were unaware of the situation if they were taking their understanding of the unrest in Egypt from television; that's because major media TV (notably CNN International and al Jazeera) were not showing viewers the violence that broken out all over the country.
Looters hunted down via websites
Sydney Morning Herald - 7 hours ago
LONDON: Some Britons have taken to social networking sites to expose rioters who went on the rampage, posting photographs of masked gangs looting and hurling missiles. Much of the violence, which started in London but has since spread to other parts of ...
London Riots 2011: Violence Caught on Surveillance Cameras
ABC News - Ned Potter - 9 hours ago
London Police posted images of alleged rioters on Flickr, and asked the public to help identify them. (London Metropolitan Police/Flickr) British police, trying to catch instigators of the London riots, fought back with ...
The London Riots: Social Media's Latest Watershed Moment
PC Magazine - Peter Pachal - 9 hours ago
The police pursuing rioters in London have a new ally: social networks. How Twitter, Flickr, and their brethren are making the world a safer place. By Peter Pachal A city descends into chaos and rioting following a terrible loss ...
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