Editing Information science (section)

== Information dissemination in the 21st century ==

===Changing definition===
[[Dissemination]] has historically been interpreted as unilateral communication of information. With the advent of the [[internet]], and the explosion in popularity of [[online communities]], [[social media]] has changed the information landscape in many respects, and creates both new modes of communication and new types of information",<ref name=embedded>{{cite journal | last1 = Miller | first1 = R | year = 2012 | title = Social media, authentic learning and embedded librarianship: a case study of dietetics students | journal = Journal of Information Literacy | volume = 6 | issue = 2| pages = 97–109 | doi=10.11645/6.2.1718| doi-access = free | hdl = 10919/19080 | hdl-access = free }}</ref> changing the interpretation of the definition of dissemination. The nature of social networks allows for faster diffusion of information than through organizational sources.<ref name=diffusion>Zhang, B., Semenov, A., Vos, M. and Veijlainen, J. (2014). Understanding fast diffusion of information in the social media environment: A comparison of two cases. In ''ICC 2014 Conference Proceedings'', 522–533</ref> The internet has changed the way we view, use, create, and store information; now it is time to re-evaluate the way we share and spread it.

===Impact of social media on people and industry===

Social media networks provide an open information environment for the mass of people who have limited time or access to traditional outlets of information diffusion,<ref name=diffusion /> this is an "increasingly mobile and social world [that] demands...new types of information skills".<ref name=embedded /> Social media integration as an access point is a very useful and mutually beneficial tool for users and providers. All major news providers have visibility and an access point through networks such as [[Facebook]] and [[Twitter]] maximizing their breadth of audience. Through social media people are directed to, or provided with, information by people they know. The ability to "share, like, and comment on...content"<ref name=facebook>Thompson, M. (2012). Share This. ''EContent''. 14–19</ref> increases the reach farther and wider than traditional methods. People like to interact with information, they enjoy including the people they know in their circle of knowledge. Sharing through social media has become so influential that publishers must "play nice" if they desire to succeed. Although, it is often mutually beneficial for publishers and Facebook to "share, promote and uncover new content"<ref name=facebook /> to improve both user base experiences. The impact of popular opinion can spread in unimaginable ways. Social media allows interaction through simple to learn and access tools; ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' offers an app through Facebook, and ''[[The Washington Post]]'' goes a step further and offers an independent social app that was downloaded by 19.5 million users in six months,<ref name=facebook /> proving how interested people are in the new way of being provided information.

===Social media's power to facilitate topics===

The connections and networks sustained through social media help information providers learn what is important to people. The connections people have throughout the world enable the exchange of information at an unprecedented rate. It is for this reason that these networks have been realized for the potential they provide. "Most news media monitor Twitter for breaking news",<ref name=diffusion /> as well as news anchors frequently request the audience to tweet pictures of events.<ref name=facebook /> The users and viewers of the shared information have earned "opinion-making and agenda-setting power"<ref name=diffusion /> This channel has been recognized for the usefulness of providing targeted information based on public demand.