Social media helps people in trouble

HYDERABAD: If you are not on any social websites like Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin, you will be losing a lot like development of your profession and getting into jobs, said Columbia School of Journalism professor and co-founder of South Asia Journalists Association, Sree Sreenivasan at a seminar on The Impact of New Media on Journalism at Villa Marie College on Friday. The event was organised in collaboration with the US Consulate. Facebook and Twitter help people when they are in trouble, he added. For example, during Mumbai blasts many tourists and others tweeted and asked shelter and security from Mumbai-based residents as they were frightened of staying at any hotel.  “All politicians, doctors, scientists, film stars across the world are active on social media, including electronic and print media organisations,” he said. In response to a students question whether social media is diverting students from their studies, Sreenivasan said, “Yes, everything can be used for good and bad causes, even social media.”