Social media has drastically reshaped global correspondence and the way news is spread – especially the most revolutionary outlet: Twitter.

Recently, @PeaceJourn, a Twitter account created by Park University’s own Steven Youngblood was listed among journalism’s best accounts, next to The New York Times, the Associated Press and Wikileaks, according to Journalismdegree.org.

Youngblood is associate professor of communication arts, the director of the Center for Global Peace Journalism and faculty international coordinator at Park University. His Twitter account is dedicated to promoting the concepts of peace and peace journalism and establishing the Center for Global Peace Journalism as the worldwide leader in this field.

“Twitter is a great way to publicize our activities and accomplishments, and promote our events and publications, particularly The Peace Journalist magazine (a bi-annual magazine published by the center),” he said.

In its early stages, Twitter did not get much attention, as many did not believe news could be communicated effectively within a 140-character limit. However, many media personalities, news organizations and journalists are breaking the mold of conventional journalism and utilizing this social media outlet to spread news at a speed never before seen in media history.

Upon learning that @PeaceJourn was ranked among the world’s most popular accounts, Youngblood said he was both surprised and delighted.

“I never feel like I really know what I’m doing on Twitter, so it’s gratifying to know that I have actually made some valuable connections with other like-minded individuals and organizations.”

Youngblood’s objective on prospering and promoting peace journalism has gained momentum through this media outlet. Twitter allows him to advance peace journalism in ways that other social media sites cannot. “Twitter is a great way to narrowly focus your message,” he said. “So, my followers, and those I follow, all fit within a fairly narrow category — journalists, journalism academics and practitioners of peace journalism specifically. Thanks to Twitter, I have connected with peace journalism colleagues around the world, and discovered excellent content for the Peace Journalist magazine.”

Youngblood states that this account not only promotes the concepts of peace journalism but it benefits Park University as well.

“Through promoting the Center for Global Peace Journalism and its activities on Twitter, the university itself receives the benefits of a higher profile and favorable publicity,” Youngblood said. “Twitter, of course, does not stand alone as a social media tool, so success on Twitter can be used to leverage more Facebook likes or more hits on the peace journalism home page.”