The Role of Twitter in the First Week of Ferguson Unrests in August 2014

Abstract

The purpose of this article is find out about the role that was played by Twitter during the firstweek of Ferguson Unrests that started on the 9th of August 2014.As a source base for this work the author analyzes the newspapers, magazine journalism andarticles upon the death of Michael Brown to show how local journalists and activists used Twitterto communicate and comment on his death. Through the examination of hashtag usage, the authordemonstrates how Twitter has become a powerful tool to start nationwide discussion, as well as howhashtag activism can trigger creation of a new social movement.