Twitter more than just twits?

I know I'm one of millions of hacks ponificating on the subject of the events allegedly involving Perez Hilton and members of the Black Eyed Peas.

Social software is a personal and professional interest to me, so the fact that Twitter is involved piqued my interest more than the celebrities (or celebrity-bloggers) involved. Perez Hilton used his Twitter account to reach out to his followers, giving his account of the scuffle after the MuchMusic Video Awards.

Twitter is becoming a fast favourite of many "public personalities" as a way of reaching out to fans. It seems everyone from Christopher Walken to Ellen Degeneres has an account. Most of these accounts are brief profound thoughts these celebs have probably while gazing deeply into their own navels.

My question is, if you feel as if you are in personal danger, of a rather immediate nature, is Twitter an appropriate tool to use to get help? Most people today are constantly connected via their choice of electronic tools, so obviously people would get the message, but I feel that the nature of his cry for help screams suspiciously of attention-seeking. It's entirely possible that he actually did fear for his life, but doesnt it seem more like he feared for his fame?
Perez HiltonVideo statement