New Opportunities For Diversity:
Twitter, Journalists and Traditionally
Underserved Communities
Dr. Carrie Brown, University of Memphis
Dr. Elizabeth Hendrickson, University of Tennessee
Dr. Jeremy Littau, Lehigh University
International Symposium for Online Journalism
April 1, 2011

RESEARCH QUESTIONS AND FINDINGS
R1: How do young people, ages 19 – 29, use Twitter?
R2: Are there any differences in how whites and
minority groups use Twitter?
R3: Are journalists that utilize Twitter to a) share news
and information and b) engage with their audiences
more credible to younger and minority audiences?

R1: How do young people,
ages 19 – 29, use Twitter?
1. Social tool for informal communication
2. Fun and entertainment
3. Professional networking
4. Information

R2: Are there any differences in how whites and
minority groups use Twitter?
• Functionality, authenticity, networks, hashtags
R3: Are journalists that utilize Twitter to a) share
news and information and b) engage with their
audiences more credible to younger and minority
audiences?
• Engagement and relevancy

Discussion
• Openness to news mixed in with
interactions with friends.
• Want more engagement and
conversation tone within this space.
• Interaction deepens sense of
connection, loyalty and trust.