WHAT IS IT?
The term Citizen Journalism refers to a wide range of activities in which everyday people contribute information or interpretation about news events.
WHO IS DOING IT?
The public is doing it. There are many sites that are used by the non professional journalist to contribute their news such as the Cyberjournalist, Nowpublic and etc. Besides that Wikis, Blogs, Forums, Photo and Video Sharing Websites, Online Journal, Online Diary are used to report or share their news and commentary.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
The citizen journalist uses a range of technologies such as digital audio and video, online tools for posting and accessing stories, one can submit aor edit the content if necessary. The journalist uses Flickr Photos or YouTube videos to support their story content. The use of Wiki’s and online editing tools and some othe applications that ius convenient and easy to be used to reach the mass audience to link to online resourses are used.
The content might be inaccurate, offensive, or otherwise lack credibility. And the trustworthiness of reporting might therefore result in a loss of confidence in the news. This because the news can be edited and rewrite.
These dialog is an example of people misunderstands the concept of citizen journalism. They think that whatever that is on online news is lack of credibility.
In the reading Dr Axel Bruns had open me to view things differently. He mentioned in his article that the role of journalism has been constantly changing over the years. News are spread and reported differently. And we as the audience receive the news in different way too. The reason why it changes because of the advancement of the new which now creates new opportunity for users to become prosumers. He states that "journalistic content is being overtaken by a flotilla of alternative options". These helps us to accesses information at anywhere and anytime of the day. He also mentioned that news that was delivered to readers are based on worthiness of the news and attention grabbing.
Lastly I would say that the traditional media has been changed since the new media has taken over and it is much more convenient easier to acessess. Not only that the New media gains greater audience too.
Note: We can actually find interesting and amazing stories. The iReport feature on cnn.com is a website caterred for people who wants to become citizen journalist. We can post what is happening around them and interact with other people about their own story or stories of others.
Hi Meg
ReplyDeleteIndeed citizen journalism can be inaccurate and lack of credibility at times. This is because the sources are usually considered unreliable. Citizen jourmalism is an informal style of jouralism writing where there is no boundaries and limitations for the journalists, usually people like us, the public, write freely as we wish.
Another downfall of citizen journalism i would like to add is due to the mass amount of citizen journalists out there, it makes certain important news and information seem less valuable at times. This is due to the over flow of information from differnt unauthorized social journalists. Also, it devalues the quality and standard of the well known, popular and professional journalists out there.
Hey Ali,
ReplyDeleteThank You for adding on some useful downfall points. I agree with you that citizen journalism is an informal style of journalism writing.