Question

passing along information is an important part of the news process. earlier pej research finds the role of twitter in disseminating breaking news is not limited to the arab uprisings—the death of whitney houston, for example, was announced on twitter 55 minutes prior to the ap confirming the story.
—\the role of social media in the arab uprisings,\
heather brown, emily guskin, and amy mitchell
how does this passage develop the overall claim about social media and the spread of information?
○ it demonstrates how social media has little power in sharing news due to the limited number of users.
○ it demonstrates how social media users need to be careful because reported news often is not accurate.
○ it demonstrates how social media is the best source for breaking news because it is highly accurate.
○ it demonstrates how social media has the capacity to spread information faster than traditional outlets.

Explanation:

The passage gives an example of Twitter announcing news 55 minutes before AP, showing social media's speed in spreading info. Option D says it shows social media can spread info faster than traditional outlets, which matches the example. Other options: A is wrong (social media has power in sharing), B is wrong (passage doesn't say users need to be careful), C is wrong (passage doesn't claim social media is best for breaking news or highly accurate).

Answer:

D. It demonstrates how social media has the capacity to spread information faster than traditional outlets.