Twitter (Digital Media and Society) - Softcover

"Dhiraj Murthy is one of the foremost experts in social media and Twitter as a platform. His new edition of Twitter treats the platform as a firm, as a mode communication, and as a culture of technology use. Important political leaders use it, young people use it, and journalists use it, sometimes to the detriment of public life. Murthy takes us through the contagions and consequences of Twitter use."Philip N. Howard, Oxford University and author of Castells and the Media "Ten years after being introduced, Twitter has become an integral professional and civic tool. Now Dhiraj Murthy brings an updated version of his methodologically innovative and sociologically deep approach to this transformative social media platform." Stephen D. Reese, University of Texas at Austin

Twitter is a household name, discussed for its role in national elections, natural disasters, and political movements, as well as for what some malign as narcissistic "chatter." The first edition of Murthy's balanced and incisive book pioneered the study of this medium as a serious platform worthy of scholarly attention. Much has changed since Twitter's infancy, although it is more relevant than ever to our social, political, and economic lives. This timely second edition shows how Twitter has evolved and how it is used today. Murthy introduces some of the historical context that gave birth to the platform, while providing up-to-date examples such as the #blacklivesmatter movement, and Donald Trump's use of Twitter in the US election. The chapters on journalism and social movements have been thoroughly updated, and completely new to this edition is a chapter on celebrities and brands. Seeking to answer challenging questions around the popular medium, the second edition of Twitter is essential reading for students and scholars of digital media.