As the major television news stations reported on the sudden death of one of modern times’ most respected journalists, similar coverage unfolded simultaneously online. The people participating in this new form of real-time reporting didn’t sit in anchor chairs in front of millions of viewers. Today’s online coverage was composed of 140-character messages from ordinary people in front of computers and mobile devices around the world.
Many users of Twitter found posts from their followers announcing the death of NBC political analyst Tim Russert this afternoon in their Twitterstreams. As the news spread, the Twitter crowd mentioned some of their memories of election nights, whiteboards, and episodes of “Meet the Press”. People from all over the globe put aside their political differences and remembered their favorite moments of a great reporter.
As the tweets came flowing in, a new type of memorial formed at conversational tracking sites like Summize. A search for “russert” revealed a broad compilation of announcements, emotions, and well wishes. A real-time anthology of reactions evolved as more Twitter users learned of Russert’s passing.
Maps of 100 recent Twitter users who posted about Tim Russert today. Images created with the Summize, Twittervision, and Google Maps APIs.
Now, just hours after the first announcement of Russert’s death, hundreds (if not thousands) of people around the world have joined an impromptu community and contributed to this new form of spontaneous memorial. It’s a fitting tribute for a journalist by those who watched and respected his insight.
