Tyler Weyant · Storify

JOUR352 - Twitter Success Stories

Tyler Weyant — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 02:07:10 GMT

During March 1st's JOUR352 class at the Merrill College of Journalism, Professor Pyles and his students discussed various reporting successes using Twitter.

Storified by Tyler Weyant · Thu, Mar 01 2012 18:07:10

Students spoke on Twitter about the social media success stories discussed in class. The first story, from Erin Egan, talked about a Prince George's County Fire Department tweet that led to a story.

Student tweets about untrained College Park police saving elderly from burning building. Found story on blog. #JOUR352
— Hannah Porter · Thu, Mar 01 2012 17:50:05

PG Country Police tweet about heroic effort by officers, Erin gets a good story out of it #jour352
— Brian Paxton · Thu, Mar 01 2012 17:49:35

@dbkcrime was able to get a great story based on following an official twitter account #jour352
— Tyler Weyant · Thu, Mar 01 2012 17:49:26

Journalism student used Twitter to find a story about police saving the elderly from a burning building #jour352
— matthieu drotar · Thu, Mar 01 2012 17:49:48

Pretty interesting story by @ThisJustErIn on how she was able to get in touch with PGPD through twitter. Guess this thing is useful #jour352
— Christopher Leyden · Thu, Mar 01 2012 17:49:49

Next, Tyler Weyant spoke on getting sources for stories through Twitter, specifically for a story on Palestinian students.

Someone he follows on the Twitter is very into Arab affairs. Contacted them around time of startup of Arab Spring. #jour352
— Taylor Lewis · Thu, Mar 01 2012 17:50:53

I just told a story about using informed followers to create the best stories #jour352
— Tyler Weyant · Thu, Mar 01 2012 17:51:39

Tyler was able to find a source for a story through an expert he followed on Twitter. #jour352
— PeteVolk352 · Thu, Mar 01 2012 17:50:47

Reporting on Palestinian Solidarity Week, student uses links to find information and contacts to make story stronger. #JOUR352
— Hannah Porter · Thu, Mar 01 2012 17:51:21

@tweyant followed someone who is very into issues about Arab world and linked to info about Palestine. Used that person as source #Jour352
— Scott Kornberg · Thu, Mar 01 2012 17:50:52

Finally, Professor Alexander Pyles recalled how constant tweeting on a development story led him to get information through a Direct Message.

After teasing a news story for months through twitter, our professor was able to find a source that allowed him to break a story #jour352
— Allison Trobiano · Thu, Mar 01 2012 17:53:28

Our teacher got inside information from someone on Twitter after they followed his tweets about shopping development #jour352
— matthieu drotar · Thu, Mar 01 2012 17:52:55

A twitter follower became an invaluable source to Professor Pyle's story about a shopping development in Baltimore County. #JOUR352
— Hannah Porter · Thu, Mar 01 2012 17:54:41

Professor Pyles got information from a source on Twitter and broke news. #jour352
— Erica Mink · Thu, Mar 01 2012 17:54:38

My professor received a scoop through direct message about Baltimore development plans! Call it a Tweet Scoop #jour352
— Chris Trevino · Thu, Mar 01 2012 17:54:18

USA TODAY Opinion - Santorum and Birth Control

Tyler Weyant — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:47:22 GMT

People across the country were talking about GOP Presidential Candidate Rick Santorum's stances on birth control and his chances of gaining his party's nomination on Facebook and Twitter. (Note: Comments may be edited for spelling and clarity)

Storified by Tyler Weyant · Wed, Feb 22 2012 14:47:22

Column: Santorum success depends on narrative, not money

Rick Santorum's full-on embrace of Super PACs- he speaks to his on Thursday - could prove to be a super mistake that forecloses any chanc...

Join conversation. This week's #tellusatoday on Santorum's comments on birth control. What do you think? Use #tellusatoday. May publish
— USA TODAY Opinion · Wed, Feb 22 2012 12:30:00

@USATOpinion Help him for now. In the general election, Independent women & Reagan Democrats will vote for Obama. #tellusatoday.
— Jeff Ostach · Tue, Feb 21 2012 09:02:25

#tellusatoday "..religion and Government will both exist in greater purity, the less they are mixed together"(James Madison)
— Virginia Torbert · Wed, Feb 22 2012 11:39:38

@USATOpinion It will help him gain the nomination and lose the election. #tellusatoday.
— David K · Tue, Feb 21 2012 07:36:06

Column: Why angry Santorum can't win

Surging poll numbers could conceivably carry Rick Santorum to the GOP presidential nomination, but history says he'd still fare poorly in...

On Facebook, we asked, "What do you think the key to Rick Santorum's success is?"

Atul Vora Santorum's Success? you mean success with the Extreme right wing republicans not with the majority of Americans...Don't you?

Quahog Rob It's all about liberals that are listed as "undecided" and voting in primaries on the least threatening candidate

Nathaniel Harrison I have long considered my self Republican but if we put him up as "our guy" I'm switching sides. Comparing him to success is like saying the Westboro Baptist Church is on the righteous path.

USA TODAY Opinion - Obama's Budget

Tyler Weyant — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:32:36 GMT

This week, people across the country have been talking on Facebook about the new Federal Budget proposed by President Obama. (Note: Comments may be edited for spelling or clarity)

Storified by Tyler Weyant · Wed, Feb 22 2012 14:32:36

Editorial: Obama's budget plan leaves debt bomb ticking

The best test of a budget proposal these days is whether it reins in the national debt, which is projected to equal a troubling 74% of gr...

On Facebook we asked: "What grade would you give President Obama's budget?"

Todd C. Staples Give him an F. Can't say as I hate him because I don't even know him. Just hate his socialist policies.

Denise Stoltz U. For unsatisfactory!

Barbara Iris Alsieux A good grade but, it will take all the citizens of US helping a little bit to make our country great again-all businesses & orgs please, reduce your prices a liitle it will keep inflation down & you will increase your business & if you have good ideas how to help our nation, please, E-Mail Pres Obama.

Opposing view: President's budget makes many tough choices

Two weeks ago, President Obama outlined in his State of the Union address a blueprint for an economy built to last - where everyone gets ...

Jim Mason Not a budget...its a campaign tease

Antonio Reyes B, it is not perfect but workable.Republicans are barking about spending but you have to balance spending and cuts, you cannot cut infrastructure and education.

Opinionline: Obama budget gets mixed reviews

Earl Ofari Hutchinson, on The Huffington Post: "In the past year, the Occupy Wall Street protests awakened the nation to the outrageous f...

USA Today Opinion - Gay Marriage

Tyler Weyant — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:55:33 GMT

This week on Twitter, people sounded off over the debate on gay marriage. Gay marriage was a big topic, with its legalization in Washington state and an appeals court overturn of Proposition 8 in California.

Storified by Tyler Weyant · Wed, Feb 22 2012 10:55:33

Editorial: California same-sex marriage ruling tied in knots

Tuesday's federal appeals court decision striking down California's ban on gay marriage probably won't matter much elsewhere. It was a na...

U.S. appeals court just struck down Calif. gay marriage ban. Do you agree with the decision? Use #tellusatoday to reply
— USA TODAY College · Wed, Feb 08 2012 17:13:01

@USATOpinion #tellusatoday Marriage is licensed by govt because it is a civil contract. Religions can still decide their own internal laws.
— Elaine BondraSOAfan · Wed, Feb 08 2012 09:16:06

#tellusatoday If God is Love, how can love be wrong. Love should never be voted on or legislated. It should be FREE for EVERYONE.
— Enviro Mint · Thu, Feb 09 2012 16:54:11

Opposing view: Gay marriage is not an increase in liberty - USATODAY.com

USA TODAY's Editorial Board is bending over backwards to find a way of engaging the marriage debate that escapes the key question: Is the...

#tellusatoday banning gay marriage is no different than having a separate but equal clause, equality & happiness are fundamental rights!
— KC Christopher · Wed, Feb 08 2012 17:42:44

@USATOpinion I think it's great and important. The law was discrimination, plain and simple. #tellusatoday
— Jess Cullen · Wed, Feb 08 2012 08:59:36

Letters: Love most important in gay marriage debate

I opened up USA TODAY on Tuesday and read how same-sex couples are not afforded the federal benefits of marriage that heterosexual couple...

Here's what the rest of the nation is saying about gay marriage.

RT @RickSantorum: ... freedom makes our country great. I understand that. Unfortunately, Obama doesn't.
— Matt Cowger · Mon, Feb 20 2012 14:09:00

RT @darcyspencer: Equality Maryland urging residents to email their state senators, telling them to support the gay marriage bill
— Real Prince George's · Mon, Feb 20 2012 14:07:17

RT @revelandriot: Megadeths Dave Mustaine opposes gay marriage cuz he's "Christian." We oppose Dave Mustaine because he sounds like a muppet when he sings.
— Here is the heart · Mon, Feb 20 2012 14:05:38

@RickSantorum You understand freedom? How do you explain your opposition to gay marriage, abortion, contraception, etc.?!
— Dave Warren · Mon, Feb 20 2012 14:03:50