Citizen journalism
Published September 25th, 2006 in Community, Media, journalism.My last post dealt with user-generated content (UGC). Now, another favorite subject of mine - citizen journalism.
I do have a degree in Journalism so someone might consider me a professional, ergo, no citizen journalist. A recent article on the subject however defined citizen journalism like this: The intent of this participation is to provide independent, reliable, accurate, wide-ranging and relevant information that a democracy requires.
In terms of the forms it takes, J. D. Lasica defines the following types:
- Audience participation (such as user comments attached to news stories, personal blogs, photos or video footage captured from personal mobile cameras, or local news written by residents of a community
- Independent news and information Websites
- Full-fledged participatory news sites
- Collaborative and contributory media sites
- Other kinds of “thin media” (e.g. email newsletters)
- Personal broadcasting sites (video or audio)
Citizen journalism isn’t without its critics. In his 2005 review, Tom Grubisich went through ten citizen journalism sites and found them lacking in content and far from the ideal. Maybe the solution is to go all gonzo like Doctor Gonzo (Hunter Stockton Thompson).
Here’s a few selected articles for further reading:
- Grubisich, T - Grassroots journalism: Actual content vs. shining ideal.
- Lasica, J. D. - What is Participatory Journalism?
- Maher, V. - Citizen Journalism is Dead
business, journalism, social, UGC, user generated content, web2.0
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