There has been a shift in journalism practice, now at the center of constant conversation and debate. Social media pioneers Facebook and Twitter have made the posting and reposting of breaking stories a worldwide phenomenon, making news coverage a fast-paced, exciting game. The classic elements of print journalism have made their way online. No longer a question of subscriptions, deliveries, or man on the street interviews, news coverage has become about tweets, tags, and viral word-of-mouth. In December 2010, 41% of Americans admitted that the Internet is their primary source of news--a staggering 17% increase from the year before and the first time that online news sources have surpassed their printed counterparts. This new landscape is almost completely dominated by Twitter and Facebook and their clever intuitions of making communication and interaction instant and valuable. With an active and opinionated audience base, the opportunities to dispense information, and in cases like the Egyptian and Libyan revolutionary protests, incite political and social change, are excitingly endless. It seems as if social media has made a positive and influential new platform for journalism. With all the reposting and commentary, what happens to the legal rights of journalists when issues of intellectual property come into question? This thesis will explore the current state of media and the transition into online journalism, fueled by the power of Twitter and Facebook. This thesis will also explore what definitions, standards and possible legal codes exist for online writers and bloggers and whether their material is protected when it is only digitally "printed."