Pennsylvania Congressman Leads Hearing On Social Media And Terrorism
By Ian Bush
WASHINGTON, DC (CBS) - A new front has opened in the battle to protect the country and its people as terrorists turn to Twitter and Facebook to talk and organize. That subject is the focus of a local congressman in a hearing on Capitol Hill on Tuesday.
As friends and groups connect and flourish, a lot of good comes from social media. However, it is also a breeding ground for a lot of bad.
"Jihad Jane is a local example in which people have become radicalized and communicated through those networks," said Congressman Pat Meehan (R-Pa.), head of the House Homeland Security subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence.
The committee will take testimony from internet experts on how terrorists are using the sites and how to keep American innovators and law enforcers one step ahead.
"To expose more people to the growing area of this activity as well as to determine whether there's something more we ought to be doing both to protect the homeland as well as to identify potential people who would like to do us harm," Meehan said.
