Journalism 101, How TMZ Got The Exclusive on Snooki’s Arrest: via Twitter

Watch carefully, Journalism majors. This is how you do it.

Step 1: Set up a column on Tweetdeck for news on Snooki.

Step 2: Watch news of Snooki out and about today on “The Shore” the day after Jersey Shore’s second season premiere fly by.

Step 3: Catch breaking news report that Snooki was arrested via nearby regional news affiliate.

Step 4: Pay careful attention to Twitter. Sure you didn’t see anything good pop up before?

and Step 5: Start Tweeting at people like your life depends on it. Because now, it does.

Final Result:

TMZ has obtained footage — pretty painful footage — showing a wobbly Snooki trying to get on a bicycle right before she was arrested earlier today … and as you can imagine … gravity wins.

Oh, and don’t forget to come with a full wallet.

Jay Rosen, eat your heart out. Class dismissed.

[fkamer@villagevoice.com]