Eastleigh explosion - are twitter/facebook users good journalists?
Last night (Monday 14 Feb 2011) there was a a loud bang around the Eastleigh/Chandlers Ford area of Hampshire at around 2230. I initially heard about this through friend feeds on facebook and twitter since I hadn't heard it first hand, and naturally went looking for more info. First was to switch on TV and radio - nothing on BBC News 24, Sky News, Capital FM or Wave 105. Then check the BBC and local paper news sites. Nothing. So now to look on twitter. Lots of reports of hearing a bang, various people declaring "Bomb scare in Eastleigh" and lots of "I've heard that ...". Very few actual people anywhere near the source of the event with any facts other than hearing helicopters above. I tried posting only things that appeared to have been first hand as opposed to just stuff on the grapevine but it can be difficult to tell. @petesimmons1 seemed to be one of the few people posting first hand information from around one suspected scene at Fleming Park, where the