Citizen Journalism
04/10/07 14:04 Filed in: Modern
Internet
Citizen
journalism is an unmistakable sign of the times. I
feel fortunate that I live in a place and a time
whereby society has developed and made possible the
capabilities for practically anyone to publicize
content that can then be viewed worldwide! I am
especially appreciative of this fact when I am
reminded of it in poignant fashion. Let me explain.
Citizen
journalism is an unmistakable sign of the times. I
feel fortunate that I live in a place and a time
whereby society has developed and made possible the
capabilities for practically anyone to publicize
content that can then be viewed worldwide! I am
especially appreciative of this fact when I am
reminded of it in poignant fashion. Let me explain.
Citizen journalism has emerged as a byproduct of modern technology. More specifically though, it’s mainly the result of what our cells phones, and our video recorders can do for us, and, of course the extensive net capabilities that have become user friendly and very accessible. The Internet serves as a new medium for people to be heard, without knowledge of html or coding. These days anyone can post a blog or upload a video on U Tube, and this is the process that brought citizen journalism to the forefront. It can’t surprise us, for some time now users have been encouraged to interact with the web and share information, instead of just using it to view documents. The concept of citizen journalism defines the very the nature of web 2.0.
With this new independence users are now capable of comes new considerations we as the public must take into account. The lack of standardization and validity of content forces viewers to question the authenticity of anything they see or read online. This is also a good lesson in critical thinking. This responsibility doesn’t only fall onto the shoulders of the viewers; the role of the advocacy journalist requires integrity and that the validity of content be a value that is maintained ( be of high value) . These simple principals are familiar to all us, it’s just like the natural process of growing up and learning to take on responsibility, only this time the advantageous as well as consequential outcomes will be felt by all.
Citizen journalism offers readers an often-unbiased opinion or perspective on current events that the audience may not otherwise be able to hear from corporate media firms. A common perception is that “Grassroots Journalism” contains less propaganda because reporters don’t have the financial incentive. Nevertheless, support for citizen journalism requires an open-minded, and future focused mentality, one that may not be had by the majority. In reality though, both forms of journalism can benefit from each other.
“Citizen journalism' provides professional reporters the chance to collect more information than they could have on their own. And 'mainstream media' provide readers an established, popular distribution channel for the information we have and can collect. Not to mention a century of wisdom on sourcing, avoiding libel and narrative storytelling technique.”
(Robert Niles, editor of USC Annenberg's Online Journalism Review)
One critical advantage I believe that citizen journalism has over mainstream journalism is the opportunity to report during dangerous civil unrests when corporate media will not or can’t have their own employees onsite. This is happening currently in Burma. Militant rule has always tried to deny the people of their rights to have access to internet, and their television channels have been closely monitored by the government, but now the violence has escalated to the point that it is unsafe and corporate media have not been able to cover the events happening there. Much of what has been revealed about the violence in Burma comes from citizen journalists
It is ironic that although citizen journalism has been criticized for it’s lack of professionalism and standardization, we must appreciate that it can offer valuable coverage in times when corporate media cannot.
As web technology moves into the future citizen journalism will only expand and gain more presence on the web. If corporate and citizen journalists find ways to collaborate and share important information the public can be more informed and better equipped to make decisions.
Citizen journalism is an unmistakable sign of the times. I feel fortunate that I live in a place and a time whereby society has developed and made possible the capabilities for practically anyone to publicize content that can then be viewed worldwide! I am especially appreciative of this fact when I am reminded of it in poignant fashion. Let me explain.
Citizen journalism has emerged as a byproduct of modern technology. More specifically though, it’s mainly the result of what our cells phones, and our video recorders can do for us, and, of course the extensive net capabilities that have become user friendly and very accessible. The Internet serves as a new medium for people to be heard, without knowledge of html or coding. These days anyone can post a blog or upload a video on U Tube, and this is the process that brought citizen journalism to the forefront. It can’t surprise us, for some time now users have been encouraged to interact with the web and share information, instead of just using it to view documents. The concept of citizen journalism defines the very the nature of web 2.0.
With this new independence users are now capable of comes new considerations we as the public must take into account. The lack of standardization and validity of content forces viewers to question the authenticity of anything they see or read online. This is also a good lesson in critical thinking. This responsibility doesn’t only fall onto the shoulders of the viewers; the role of the advocacy journalist requires integrity and that the validity of content be a value that is maintained ( be of high value) . These simple principals are familiar to all us, it’s just like the natural process of growing up and learning to take on responsibility, only this time the advantageous as well as consequential outcomes will be felt by all.
Citizen journalism offers readers an often-unbiased opinion or perspective on current events that the audience may not otherwise be able to hear from corporate media firms. A common perception is that “Grassroots Journalism” contains less propaganda because reporters don’t have the financial incentive. Nevertheless, support for citizen journalism requires an open-minded, and future focused mentality, one that may not be had by the majority. In reality though, both forms of journalism can benefit from each other.
“Citizen journalism' provides professional reporters the chance to collect more information than they could have on their own. And 'mainstream media' provide readers an established, popular distribution channel for the information we have and can collect. Not to mention a century of wisdom on sourcing, avoiding libel and narrative storytelling technique.”
(Robert Niles, editor of USC Annenberg's Online Journalism Review)
One critical advantage I believe that citizen journalism has over mainstream journalism is the opportunity to report during dangerous civil unrests when corporate media will not or can’t have their own employees onsite. This is happening currently in Burma. Militant rule has always tried to deny the people of their rights to have access to internet, and their television channels have been closely monitored by the government, but now the violence has escalated to the point that it is unsafe and corporate media have not been able to cover the events happening there. Much of what has been revealed about the violence in Burma comes from citizen journalists
It is ironic that although citizen journalism has been criticized for it’s lack of professionalism and standardization, we must appreciate that it can offer valuable coverage in times when corporate media cannot.
As web technology moves into the future citizen journalism will only expand and gain more presence on the web. If corporate and citizen journalists find ways to collaborate and share important information the public can be more informed and better equipped to make decisions.
Citizen journalism is an unmistakable sign of the times. I feel fortunate that I live in a place and a time whereby society has developed and made possible the capabilities for practically anyone to publicize content that can then be viewed worldwide! I am especially appreciative of this fact when I am reminded of it in poignant fashion. Let me explain.
Citizen journalism has emerged as a byproduct of modern technology. More specifically though, it’s mainly the result of what our cells phones, and our video recorders can do for us, and, of course the extensive net capabilities that have become user friendly and very accessible. The Internet serves as a new medium for people to be heard, without knowledge of html or coding. These days anyone can post a blog or upload a video on U Tube, and this is the process that brought citizen journalism to the forefront. It can’t surprise us, for some time now users have been encouraged to interact with the web and share information, instead of just using it to view documents. The concept of citizen journalism defines the very the nature of web 2.0.
With this new independence users are now capable of comes new considerations we as the public must take into account. The lack of standardization and validity of content forces viewers to question the authenticity of anything they see or read online. This is also a good lesson in critical thinking. This responsibility doesn’t only fall onto the shoulders of the viewers; the role of the advocacy journalist requires integrity and that the validity of content be a value that is maintained ( be of high value) . These simple principals are familiar to all us, it’s just like the natural process of growing up and learning to take on responsibility, only this time the advantageous as well as consequential outcomes will be felt by all.
Citizen journalism offers readers an often-unbiased opinion or perspective on current events that the audience may not otherwise be able to hear from corporate media firms. A common perception is that “Grassroots Journalism” contains less propaganda because reporters don’t have the financial incentive. Nevertheless, support for citizen journalism requires an open-minded, and future focused mentality, one that may not be had by the majority. In reality though, both forms of journalism can benefit from each other.
“Citizen journalism' provides professional reporters the chance to collect more information than they could have on their own. And 'mainstream media' provide readers an established, popular distribution channel for the information we have and can collect. Not to mention a century of wisdom on sourcing, avoiding libel and narrative storytelling technique.”
(Robert Niles, editor of USC Annenberg's Online Journalism Review)
One critical advantage I believe that citizen journalism has over mainstream journalism is the opportunity to report during dangerous civil unrests when corporate media will not or can’t have their own employees onsite. This is happening currently in Burma. Militant rule has always tried to deny the people of their rights to have access to internet, and their television channels have been closely monitored by the government, but now the violence has escalated to the point that it is unsafe and corporate media have not been able to cover the events happening there. Much of what has been revealed about the violence in Burma comes from citizen journalists
It is ironic that although citizen journalism has been criticized for it’s lack of professionalism and standardization, we must appreciate that it can offer valuable coverage in times when corporate media cannot.
As web technology moves into the future citizen journalism will only expand and gain more presence on the web. If corporate and citizen journalists find ways to collaborate and share important information the public can be more informed and better equipped to make decisions.
Citizen journalism is an unmistakable sign of the times. I feel fortunate that I live in a place and a time whereby society has developed and made possible the capabilities for practically anyone to publicize content that can then be viewed worldwide! I am especially appreciative of this fact when I am reminded of it in poignant fashion. Let me explain.
Citizen journalism has emerged as a byproduct of modern technology. More specifically though, it’s mainly the result of what our cells phones, and our video recorders can do for us, and, of course the extensive net capabilities that have become user friendly and very accessible. The Internet serves as a new medium for people to be heard, without knowledge of html or coding. These days anyone can post a blog or upload a video on U Tube, and this is the process that brought citizen journalism to the forefront. It can’t surprise us, for some time now users have been encouraged to interact with the web and share information, instead of just using it to view documents. The concept of citizen journalism defines the very the nature of web 2.0.
With this new independence users are now capable of comes new considerations we as the public must take into account. The lack of standardization and validity of content forces viewers to question the authenticity of anything they see or read online. This is also a good lesson in critical thinking. This responsibility doesn’t only fall onto the shoulders of the viewers; the role of the advocacy journalist requires integrity and that the validity of content be a value that is maintained ( be of high value) . These simple principals are familiar to all us, it’s just like the natural process of growing up and learning to take on responsibility, only this time the advantageous as well as consequential outcomes will be felt by all.
Citizen journalism offers readers an often-unbiased opinion or perspective on current events that the audience may not otherwise be able to hear from corporate media firms. A common perception is that “Grassroots Journalism” contains less propaganda because reporters don’t have the financial incentive. Nevertheless, support for citizen journalism requires an open-minded, and future focused mentality, one that may not be had by the majority. In reality though, both forms of journalism can benefit from each other.
“Citizen journalism' provides professional reporters the chance to collect more information than they could have on their own. And 'mainstream media' provide readers an established, popular distribution channel for the information we have and can collect. Not to mention a century of wisdom on sourcing, avoiding libel and narrative storytelling technique.”
(Robert Niles, editor of USC Annenberg's Online Journalism Review)
One critical advantage I believe that citizen journalism has over mainstream journalism is the opportunity to report during dangerous civil unrests when corporate media will not or can’t have their own employees onsite. This is happening currently in Burma. Militant rule has always tried to deny the people of their rights to have access to internet, and their television channels have been closely monitored by the government, but now the violence has escalated to the point that it is unsafe and corporate media have not been able to cover the events happening there. Much of what has been revealed about the violence in Burma comes from citizen journalists
It is ironic that although citizen journalism has been criticized for it’s lack of professionalism and standardization, we must appreciate that it can offer valuable coverage in times when corporate media cannot.
As web technology moves into the future citizen journalism will only expand and gain more presence on the web. If corporate and citizen journalists find ways to collaborate and share important information the public can be more informed and better equipped to make decisions.
Citizen journalism has emerged as a byproduct of modern technology. More specifically though, it’s mainly the result of what our cells phones, and our video recorders can do for us, and, of course the extensive net capabilities that have become user friendly and very accessible. The Internet serves as a new medium for people to be heard, without knowledge of html or coding. These days anyone can post a blog or upload a video on U Tube, and this is the process that brought citizen journalism to the forefront. It can’t surprise us, for some time now users have been encouraged to interact with the web and share information, instead of just using it to view documents. The concept of citizen journalism defines the very the nature of web 2.0.
With this new independence users are now capable of comes new considerations we as the public must take into account. The lack of standardization and validity of content forces viewers to question the authenticity of anything they see or read online. This is also a good lesson in critical thinking. This responsibility doesn’t only fall onto the shoulders of the viewers; the role of the advocacy journalist requires integrity and that the validity of content be a value that is maintained ( be of high value) . These simple principals are familiar to all us, it’s just like the natural process of growing up and learning to take on responsibility, only this time the advantageous as well as consequential outcomes will be felt by all.
Citizen journalism offers readers an often-unbiased opinion or perspective on current events that the audience may not otherwise be able to hear from corporate media firms. A common perception is that “Grassroots Journalism” contains less propaganda because reporters don’t have the financial incentive. Nevertheless, support for citizen journalism requires an open-minded, and future focused mentality, one that may not be had by the majority. In reality though, both forms of journalism can benefit from each other.
“Citizen journalism' provides professional reporters the chance to collect more information than they could have on their own. And 'mainstream media' provide readers an established, popular distribution channel for the information we have and can collect. Not to mention a century of wisdom on sourcing, avoiding libel and narrative storytelling technique.”
(Robert Niles, editor of USC Annenberg's Online Journalism Review)
One critical advantage I believe that citizen journalism has over mainstream journalism is the opportunity to report during dangerous civil unrests when corporate media will not or can’t have their own employees onsite. This is happening currently in Burma. Militant rule has always tried to deny the people of their rights to have access to internet, and their television channels have been closely monitored by the government, but now the violence has escalated to the point that it is unsafe and corporate media have not been able to cover the events happening there. Much of what has been revealed about the violence in Burma comes from citizen journalists
It is ironic that although citizen journalism has been criticized for it’s lack of professionalism and standardization, we must appreciate that it can offer valuable coverage in times when corporate media cannot.
As web technology moves into the future citizen journalism will only expand and gain more presence on the web. If corporate and citizen journalists find ways to collaborate and share important information the public can be more informed and better equipped to make decisions.
Citizen journalism is an unmistakable sign of the times. I feel fortunate that I live in a place and a time whereby society has developed and made possible the capabilities for practically anyone to publicize content that can then be viewed worldwide! I am especially appreciative of this fact when I am reminded of it in poignant fashion. Let me explain.
Citizen journalism has emerged as a byproduct of modern technology. More specifically though, it’s mainly the result of what our cells phones, and our video recorders can do for us, and, of course the extensive net capabilities that have become user friendly and very accessible. The Internet serves as a new medium for people to be heard, without knowledge of html or coding. These days anyone can post a blog or upload a video on U Tube, and this is the process that brought citizen journalism to the forefront. It can’t surprise us, for some time now users have been encouraged to interact with the web and share information, instead of just using it to view documents. The concept of citizen journalism defines the very the nature of web 2.0.
With this new independence users are now capable of comes new considerations we as the public must take into account. The lack of standardization and validity of content forces viewers to question the authenticity of anything they see or read online. This is also a good lesson in critical thinking. This responsibility doesn’t only fall onto the shoulders of the viewers; the role of the advocacy journalist requires integrity and that the validity of content be a value that is maintained ( be of high value) . These simple principals are familiar to all us, it’s just like the natural process of growing up and learning to take on responsibility, only this time the advantageous as well as consequential outcomes will be felt by all.
Citizen journalism offers readers an often-unbiased opinion or perspective on current events that the audience may not otherwise be able to hear from corporate media firms. A common perception is that “Grassroots Journalism” contains less propaganda because reporters don’t have the financial incentive. Nevertheless, support for citizen journalism requires an open-minded, and future focused mentality, one that may not be had by the majority. In reality though, both forms of journalism can benefit from each other.
“Citizen journalism' provides professional reporters the chance to collect more information than they could have on their own. And 'mainstream media' provide readers an established, popular distribution channel for the information we have and can collect. Not to mention a century of wisdom on sourcing, avoiding libel and narrative storytelling technique.”
(Robert Niles, editor of USC Annenberg's Online Journalism Review)
One critical advantage I believe that citizen journalism has over mainstream journalism is the opportunity to report during dangerous civil unrests when corporate media will not or can’t have their own employees onsite. This is happening currently in Burma. Militant rule has always tried to deny the people of their rights to have access to internet, and their television channels have been closely monitored by the government, but now the violence has escalated to the point that it is unsafe and corporate media have not been able to cover the events happening there. Much of what has been revealed about the violence in Burma comes from citizen journalists
It is ironic that although citizen journalism has been criticized for it’s lack of professionalism and standardization, we must appreciate that it can offer valuable coverage in times when corporate media cannot.
As web technology moves into the future citizen journalism will only expand and gain more presence on the web. If corporate and citizen journalists find ways to collaborate and share important information the public can be more informed and better equipped to make decisions.
Citizen journalism is an unmistakable sign of the times. I feel fortunate that I live in a place and a time whereby society has developed and made possible the capabilities for practically anyone to publicize content that can then be viewed worldwide! I am especially appreciative of this fact when I am reminded of it in poignant fashion. Let me explain.
Citizen journalism has emerged as a byproduct of modern technology. More specifically though, it’s mainly the result of what our cells phones, and our video recorders can do for us, and, of course the extensive net capabilities that have become user friendly and very accessible. The Internet serves as a new medium for people to be heard, without knowledge of html or coding. These days anyone can post a blog or upload a video on U Tube, and this is the process that brought citizen journalism to the forefront. It can’t surprise us, for some time now users have been encouraged to interact with the web and share information, instead of just using it to view documents. The concept of citizen journalism defines the very the nature of web 2.0.
With this new independence users are now capable of comes new considerations we as the public must take into account. The lack of standardization and validity of content forces viewers to question the authenticity of anything they see or read online. This is also a good lesson in critical thinking. This responsibility doesn’t only fall onto the shoulders of the viewers; the role of the advocacy journalist requires integrity and that the validity of content be a value that is maintained ( be of high value) . These simple principals are familiar to all us, it’s just like the natural process of growing up and learning to take on responsibility, only this time the advantageous as well as consequential outcomes will be felt by all.
Citizen journalism offers readers an often-unbiased opinion or perspective on current events that the audience may not otherwise be able to hear from corporate media firms. A common perception is that “Grassroots Journalism” contains less propaganda because reporters don’t have the financial incentive. Nevertheless, support for citizen journalism requires an open-minded, and future focused mentality, one that may not be had by the majority. In reality though, both forms of journalism can benefit from each other.
“Citizen journalism' provides professional reporters the chance to collect more information than they could have on their own. And 'mainstream media' provide readers an established, popular distribution channel for the information we have and can collect. Not to mention a century of wisdom on sourcing, avoiding libel and narrative storytelling technique.”
(Robert Niles, editor of USC Annenberg's Online Journalism Review)
One critical advantage I believe that citizen journalism has over mainstream journalism is the opportunity to report during dangerous civil unrests when corporate media will not or can’t have their own employees onsite. This is happening currently in Burma. Militant rule has always tried to deny the people of their rights to have access to internet, and their television channels have been closely monitored by the government, but now the violence has escalated to the point that it is unsafe and corporate media have not been able to cover the events happening there. Much of what has been revealed about the violence in Burma comes from citizen journalists
It is ironic that although citizen journalism has been criticized for it’s lack of professionalism and standardization, we must appreciate that it can offer valuable coverage in times when corporate media cannot.
As web technology moves into the future citizen journalism will only expand and gain more presence on the web. If corporate and citizen journalists find ways to collaborate and share important information the public can be more informed and better equipped to make decisions.
Citizen journalism is an unmistakable sign of the times. I feel fortunate that I live in a place and a time whereby society has developed and made possible the capabilities for practically anyone to publicize content that can then be viewed worldwide! I am especially appreciative of this fact when I am reminded of it in poignant fashion. Let me explain.
Citizen journalism has emerged as a byproduct of modern technology. More specifically though, it’s mainly the result of what our cells phones, and our video recorders can do for us, and, of course the extensive net capabilities that have become user friendly and very accessible. The Internet serves as a new medium for people to be heard, without knowledge of html or coding. These days anyone can post a blog or upload a video on U Tube, and this is the process that brought citizen journalism to the forefront. It can’t surprise us, for some time now users have been encouraged to interact with the web and share information, instead of just using it to view documents. The concept of citizen journalism defines the very the nature of web 2.0.
With this new independence users are now capable of comes new considerations we as the public must take into account. The lack of standardization and validity of content forces viewers to question the authenticity of anything they see or read online. This is also a good lesson in critical thinking. This responsibility doesn’t only fall onto the shoulders of the viewers; the role of the advocacy journalist requires integrity and that the validity of content be a value that is maintained ( be of high value) . These simple principals are familiar to all us, it’s just like the natural process of growing up and learning to take on responsibility, only this time the advantageous as well as consequential outcomes will be felt by all.
Citizen journalism offers readers an often-unbiased opinion or perspective on current events that the audience may not otherwise be able to hear from corporate media firms. A common perception is that “Grassroots Journalism” contains less propaganda because reporters don’t have the financial incentive. Nevertheless, support for citizen journalism requires an open-minded, and future focused mentality, one that may not be had by the majority. In reality though, both forms of journalism can benefit from each other.
“Citizen journalism' provides professional reporters the chance to collect more information than they could have on their own. And 'mainstream media' provide readers an established, popular distribution channel for the information we have and can collect. Not to mention a century of wisdom on sourcing, avoiding libel and narrative storytelling technique.”
(Robert Niles, editor of USC Annenberg's Online Journalism Review)
One critical advantage I believe that citizen journalism has over mainstream journalism is the opportunity to report during dangerous civil unrests when corporate media will not or can’t have their own employees onsite. This is happening currently in Burma. Militant rule has always tried to deny the people of their rights to have access to internet, and their television channels have been closely monitored by the government, but now the violence has escalated to the point that it is unsafe and corporate media have not been able to cover the events happening there. Much of what has been revealed about the violence in Burma comes from citizen journalists
It is ironic that although citizen journalism has been criticized for it’s lack of professionalism and standardization, we must appreciate that it can offer valuable coverage in times when corporate media cannot.
As web technology moves into the future citizen journalism will only expand and gain more presence on the web. If corporate and citizen journalists find ways to collaborate and share important information the public can be more informed and better equipped to make decisions.
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