I think the real problem is that ordinarily, most people probably don’t have any interest in following CDC, but of course during a flu outbreak, it would be a great way to get information. The question is how to ensure CDC cuts through the online noise and is easy to find even for people who might unsure to seek it out.

You raise many good questions, and users should think about these things and figure out how to get the most out of the tool — at the end of the day most of the problems described in the CNN article (and many other criticisms of Twitter) have to do with the way people use Twitter. Of course Twitter has its limitations, but I think that’s an opportunity for innovation and expansion and to address some of the issues you raise.

Your observation about how quickly rumors can spread on Twitter is definitely accurate, and yes rumors can be harmful. But then you write, “its is very difficult to retract them [rumors] later.” I’m not sure that’s true. When the Dalai Lama supposedly started using Twitter, I think I heard that the account was actually fake just as quickly as I heard that he was tweeting.