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Thu, Oct 20 2011 17:29:27

Gaddafi death sets social media alight

Social media has become an integral part in the distribution of breaking news and the death of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi killed in his home town of Sirte was no different. Social networks roared into action with unconfirmed reports, with THAT picture doing the rounds and being furiously debated as to its authenticity.

  1. It began as a trickle, but soon the news of Gaddafi's demise dominated the social media landscape.

    Al Jazeera has been widely credited as the news organisation responsible for breaking the news of Gaddafi's capture and subsequent death in Sirte.

  2. AJEnglish
    AJEnglish@AJEnglish
    Libyan TV reports 'capture' of Gaddafi http://aje.me/pY3IhP
    Thu, Oct 20 2011 04:46:29
  3. AJEnglish
    AJEnglish@AJEnglish
    Al Jazeera sources say that Muammar Gaddafi has been killed - watch live here http://aje.me/ajelive
    Thu, Oct 20 2011 04:56:16
  4. 9NewsOnline
    9NewsOnline@9NewsOnline
    BREAKING NEWS: Al Jazeera reporting Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi has been captured. More to come...
    Thu, Oct 20 2011 05:22:44

  5. The reaction from Libyans and supporters of a regime change in the country was immediate and overwhelmingly positive.

  6. libyainmefeb17
    libyainmefeb17@libyainmefeb17
    Gadaffi dead allah aukbar
    Thu, Oct 20 2011 04:47:40
  7. BentBenghazi
    BentBenghazi@BentBenghazi
    My 5 yr old just woke up, I told her Gaddafi is dead and she said: R u kidding mama?! Good finally we dont have to think about him ever agin
    Thu, Oct 20 2011 06:54:15
  8. jenanmoussa
    jenanmoussa@jenanmoussa
    All #libya(ns) we spoke to 2day to ask about their feelings would either cry, scream, or shout "Allahu w akbar". #Libya #gaddafi
    Thu, Oct 20 2011 07:39:52
  9. Repent11
    Repent11@Repent11
    In Libya, I did not see a single soul not scarred by Gadafi's 42-year old regime. Today,is a historical day- a true meaning of a revolution
    Thu, Oct 20 2011 11:27:26
  10. NoonArabia
    NoonArabia@NoonArabia
    I am rejoicing the end of #Gaddafi because it signifies the end of killing of Libyans, an end to #Libya's bloodshed.
    Thu, Oct 20 2011 09:59:24

  11. World leaders have been slow to take to their social media accounts, but Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and British PM David Cameron tweeted these short statements: 

  12. JuliaGillard
    JuliaGillard@JuliaGillard
    Today we pay tribute to the thousands of ordinary Libyans who have brought the brutal Gaddafi regime to its final end. JG
    Thu, Oct 20 2011 16:03:59
  13. Number10gov
    Number10gov@Number10gov
    PM: "Today is a day to remember all Qadhafi's victims". #Gadaffi
    Thu, Oct 20 2011 07:57:06

  14. When 9 News shared the news on Facebook, there was a mixed response with some readers questioning his death rather than capture, and others unconvinced until the photographic and video evidence was released.


    Amanda Downing for real or just another stunt ...


    Ewa Zwarenkant sounds like another BS story like the killing of Bin Laden ... really ... did ANYONE believe that BS!!!


    Kelly Mungoven hopeful its true, then the world can rejoice like we did with bin ladens death.


    Robbie Williams wow......why dead....why not set him on trial?


    Annette Lewis good riddance to bad rubbish ....


    Susan Toro Wow if this is accurate, its amazing news!!! :)


  15. Unsurprisingly, the British press held little back as the fallen dictator, responsible for the horrific bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie that claimed the lives of 259 people, dominated every front page. Sky News in the UK tweeted some of the majors:

  16. SUN FRONT PAGE: Gaddafi death is revenge for previous terrorist acts #skypapers http://twitpic.com/7393lh
    SkyNews@SkyNews
    ·
    Thu, Oct 20 2011 14:28:27
  17. TIMES FRONT PAGE: A grainy photo of Gaddafi moments before his death is on the front page #skypapers http://twitpic.com/739xa6
    SkyNews@SkyNews
    ·
    Thu, Oct 20 2011 15:39:15
  18. MAIL FRONT PAGE: Gaddafi pleaded for his life before being shot in the head #skypapers http://twitpic.com/7394ch
    SkyNews@SkyNews
    ·
    Thu, Oct 20 2011 14:30:14
  19. TELEGRAPH FRONT PAGE: No mercy for a merciless tyrant #skypapers http://twitpic.com/738t3z
    SkyNews@SkyNews
    ·
    Thu, Oct 20 2011 14:02:32
  20. MIRROR FRONT PAGE: A very graphic photo of a dead Gaddafi fills the front page. #skypapers http://twitpic.com/73974t
    SkyNews@SkyNews
    ·
    Thu, Oct 20 2011 14:37:13

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Dave Meddows

Journalist and producer. Social Media Editor @ninemsn & @9NewsOnline

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