The fire two days ago in Camden, London, made me realize something big: the way I get my news has completely changed. A few years back, I was still relying on printed newspapers, the evening news, and maybe a couple of RSS feeds. But now? Totally different game. News comes to me through sites, blogs, Twitter, and even Facebook. Let me break down how I found out about the Camden fire, just as an example.

For context: the fire hit part of Camden last week—mainly the market area and the trendy “Hawley Arms” pub. The news spread fast online, and I noticed four key steps in how it reached me.

1 - Twitter and Instant Messaging

I first heard about it just as the fire broke out. Through Twitter, MSN, and AIM, my contacts in London started spreading the word and keeping me updated live. It instantly reminded me of the texts I got during 9/11—raw, real-time info straight from people on the ground.

2 - Facebook, MySpace & Social Networks

Next up were the social networks: MySpace bulletins, Facebook status updates, and DMs from friends sharing their shock and sadness over the fire. The social web kicked in fast.

3 - Online Press & Blogs

A bit later, articles started popping up on major news sites and blogs. At this point, most were just reposting wire content—no deep reporting yet. But it was also when we saw the first wave of photos and videos, especially on Times Online, which smartly invited readers to contribute with:

“Do you have pictures from the Camden blaze? Send them to us via text on 07834 885058 or email them to onlinepics@thetimes.co.uk”

4 - Traditional Press & TV News

It wasn’t until the next day that I heard about the fire through “traditional” media—TV and newspapers. Nothing shocking there, except that these outlets, which used to be my main source of news, were now dead last. I had already known about it for over 18 hours.

So What Does This Shift in News Flow Tell Us?

Okay, this isn’t a scientific study. But even with a small, localized event like this, you can start to notice some interesting trends:

  • The morning paper is no longer my first touchpoint—it’s the last.
  • TV news feels like a rerun of stuff I already saw online hours before.
  • Twitter plays a key role in real-time news. It’s mobile, instant, and often tied to photos or videos. It’s become a must-have for breaking updates.
  • Even “fun” social networks can turn into news relays when something big happens.
  • IM platforms are replacing those old-school “OMG did you hear?? Camden’s on fire!!” text alerts.

But It Raises a Few Questions Too:

  • When news travels socially or virally (Twitter, MySpace, Facebook, etc.), are we risking a “telephone game” effect, where the info gets twisted as it spreads?
  • Camden’s fire wasn’t a massive event—what happens when something really serious hits (like a terror attack)?
  • Not everyone uses all these “web 2.0” tools. Are there different levels or paths in how people get their news?

These are just some personal thoughts—definitely not universal truths. It’s just how I get my info these days… or rather, how it gets to me. What about you? How do you stay informed? How does the news find its way to you?