Before this week's seminar presentations I hadn't really thought about the growing trend in citizen journalism too much. I have always been aware of its presence in the media world, but have never questioned the issues it raises for the future of journalism. Maybe this is a result of growing up in the digital age where camera phones, video recorders and the internet is simply a normal way of life? Nevertheless, the presentations this week really got me thinking; is citizen journalism the future?
It seems there is a wide school of thought, both good and bad, when it comes to citizen journalism (everyday people producing and disseminating the news). There are those who see it as having a positive impact on journalism, offering traditional journalists more variety in sources and information and a way to cover immediate news stories. Gillmor (2005: 1) notes that citizen journalism "will become a multidirectional conversation, enriching civic dialogue at the local, national and international levels" of society.
One example of citizen journalism positively influencing the media was during the London bombings. During this disaster the BBC relied on the videos and images from people at the incident who were using new media technologies to be first on scene. While this was mentioned briefly in a presentation, I wanted to post the link so people can read the full story. In this example, citizen journalism was fundamental to the BBC gaining direct and immediate coverage. Check it out at: http://www.nieman.harvard.edu/reportsitem.aspx?id=100542
On the other hand, citizen journalism poses some critical questions. In particular, does this mean an end for traditional journalists and society's need for factual reporting if anyone and everyone with an internet connection can report and dictate what is news? I have to say my answer is no. Despite its growth in society, I believe people still need the media to set the daily news agenda and to report the facts from reputable sources. It seems many theorists also agree saying that the future relies on a partnership between the two rather than excluding on or the other (Atton, 2009; Gillmor, 2005; Rosenberry & Burton, 2010). Journalists need to adapt to citizen journalism and integrate it into their practice to best accommodate to the digital age and further journalism's role as the fourth estate. "Bringing more voices into the conversation is smart from a journalistic point of view. It's also part of a survival strategy" (Gillmor, 2005: 1). I too believe this is the key to the changing terrain in journalism.
Sources
Atton, C. (2009). Alternative and Citizen Journalism, in Karin Wahl-Jorgensen & Thomas Hanitzsch (2009). The Handbook of Journalism Studies. Routledge: New York.
Gillmor, D. (2005). Where Citizens and Journalists Intersect. Nieman Reports. [http://www.nieman.harvard.edu/reportsitem.aspx?id=100559]. Last accessed: August 13, 2010.
Rosenberry, J. & Burton, St. J. (2010). Public Journalism 2.0: The Promise and Reality of a Citizen-Engaged Press. Routledge: New York.
Hi there Renee, I found your point on citizen journalism as a powerful entity in the face of disaster quite interesting. It made me think of how other disasters, such as the Boxing Day tsunami and the September 11 terrorist attacks, we're reported on by citizens.
ReplyDeleteIf people continue to have a hunger for up to the minute news, there is definitely a valuable place for citizen journalists.
Things like footage or audio of an disaster or event can be picked up by citizen journalists and can often help professional journalists. I think both levels of journalism can coexist.
Thank you Kellie. You make a valuable point about both levels of journalism coexisting in the media environment.
ReplyDeleteI believe the key to these forms coexisting relies on thorough monitoring and fact-checking by journalists. This will be vital in retaining the high quality journalism needed to keep society in check and thus maintain journalism's position as the fourth estate.
Citizens have always been eyewitnesses to disaster and tragedy and have always spoken about it. Their experiences have kept journalists in work.
ReplyDeleteOf course it is usually a journalist holding the microphone and the pen and paper. This time the eyewitness provided the footage, and the photos.
What these citizens did NOT do was analyse why it happened, follow up afterward, and question WHAT the powers that be were going to do about it.
JOURNALISTS have always used second and third hand accounts for their stories. Citizens have always spoken about their experiences. This does not alter the rest of a journalist's job. Journalists just need to get on with it.