Amid protests, social media's role is praised and scrutinized

Protests around the country following the police killings of Michael Brown, Eric Garner and others have been amplified by the use and ubiquity of social media.

Platforms such as Twitter have been hailed as a boon for activists while some have criticized them as rumor mills that have heightened tensions. Activists say the speed at which information flows has made platforms including Twitter into effective organizing tools, while also giving people a sense of a collective, uncensored voice. Law enforcement in Missouri and New York have made broader use of the tool, while realizing the importance of choosing their message carefully.

[Dec 27]