Exposing the Power of Citizen Journalism
More info: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/263896
Citizen media has impacted every corner of the world, as user-generated news has flourished in North America, Europe, and the Middle East. In this special Digital Journal TV episode, we look at how citizen journalism is shaping the future of news media.
This year saw a lot of change in the media landscape: newspaper ad revenue is plummeting, some companies are declaring bankruptcy and more online projects are grabbing a piece of the digital-ad revenue pie. Throughout 2008, a burgeoning trend has inspired a legion of individuals committed to under-reported stories. Citizen media allows everyday people to write about their communities, about issues that matter to them.
It’s been a good year for citizen media. For instance, citizen journalists gave the world a look into the Mumbai attacks, while also probing into the politicians behind the Obama-McCain presidential race. Readers were also treated to new online initiatives, such as the U.S. site Spot.us (allowing people to sponsor stories pitched by citizen journalists) to Al Jazeera’s Arab-language citizen media site.
On DigitalJournal.com, where citizen journalists are paid to report news, growth has been amazing; the site now boasts a stable of more than 10,000 people reporting from 140 different countries around the world. DigitalJournal.com’s reporters and members also represent a unique demographic, ranging from 15-year-olds to men and women in their 80s.
When it comes to content, DigitalJournal.com has been a busy news network, with more than 72,000 news reports published; almost 300,000 comments from readers and members; and more than 30,000 images and photos have been uploaded.
DigitalJournal.com also includes a “Vote It Up” button on the bottom of every article, blog and image that gives readers the power to decide what is newsworthy. The site automatically counts all the votes and the whole front page of DigitalJournal.com shows readers what other people want to see rather than what news editors want to show. We’ve seen more than half a million votes on DigitalJournal.com content, helping shape how the world consumes news.
Many mainstream media outlets are also joining the fray. Practically every major outlet has a citizen media channel in some form (or their interested in getting into the action) whether it’s CNN or Canada’s CTV or CityNews. Print publications also see potential in allowing their readers to contribute directly to the paper’s editorial. Does this mean citizen journalism will continue to complement the major players in the press?
If you have ever wanted to learn more about citizen media’s influence and its direction in the future, then this episode of Digital Journal TV is a must-see.
Check it out and let us know how citizen journalism has changed your life.
Duration : 0:7:41
Is blogger and journalist Andrew Sullivan a US Citizen?
He was born in England but has been here in the US for a long time. Since he spouts off about politics in America all the time, it would be nice to know if he is an American citizen or not. If so, when did he become a citizen? Where?
No he is not a U.S. citizen because he is HIV positive and HIV positive immigrants are not allowed to become citizens at this time. I don’t think that should mean that he’s not able to speak his mind on American politics though. I speak out on the genocide in Darfur and I am not a citizen of Sudan.
INNOVATIVE TALENT HUNT AMONG NON-JOURNALISTSwho is a citizen journalist?
i heard that news channels can get footage from eyewitnesses after a disaster. 9/11 or hurricane katrina for instance.
Citizen journalism, also known as "participatory journalism," is the act of citizens "playing an active role in the process of collecting, reporting, analyzing and disseminainformation," according to the seminal report We Media: How Audiences are Shaping the Future of News and Information, by Shayne Bowman and Chris Willis. They say, "The intent of this participation is to provide independent, reliable, accurate, wide-ranging and relevant information that a democracy requires."[1] Citizen journalism should not be confused with Civic Journalism, which is practiced by professional journalists. Citizen journalism usually involves empowering ordinary citizens — including traditionally marginalized members of society.
"Doing citizen journalism right means crafting a crew of correspondents who are typically excluded from or misrepresented by local television news: low-income women, minorities and youth — the very demographic and lifestyle groups who have little access to the media and that advertisers don’t want," says Robert Huesca, an associate professor of communication at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas.
for more information click on the below link: -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizen_journalist
Are we considered bloggers or citizen journalists on this forum?
How do our first amendment rights come in to play with regards to anonymously posting online? What are we legally allowed and not allowed to say?
Your first amendment rights do not come into play at all on this forum. Private forum have private rules that you agree to when joining. Break the rules and you get reported and can have your account suspended. This is merely a questions and answers/opinion forum nothing else.
Secrets To Starting A Citizen Journalism Organization
You may not have the dollars the big media organizations have, but you can still have a big impact on journalism. The UpTake lets you in on the secrets of starting a successful citizen journalism organization.
This video is a part of the YouTube Reporters’ Center. See more videos on how to report the news – and share your ideas – at http://www.youtube.com/reporterscenter
Duration : 0:5:6
Do you have to be a citizen to become a journalist?
You might need to be a citizen if you want work that involves high-level security clearances, such as the journalists that travel with the President on Air Force One. Otherwise, all you need is the legal ability to work in the country, like a Green Card for working in the US.
Behind the Citizen Journalism Revolution
Citizen Journalism is still a relatively new medium, with a few key players dominating the playing field. Sites like DigitalJournal.com, NowPublic, OhMyNews and Newsvine are carving a niche in the world of citizen-powered news media.
Duration : 0:7:23
Newspapers are cutting staff and relying on citizen journalists. What do you think about this?
Newspapers are dying every year from loss of circulation and loss of advertising. So they are using free copy from local citizens. What do you think of this trend?
Bad Idea! Journalist are (allegedly) trained to report without personal predjudice. Many do achieve this.
Using personal film footage has always been done, however when you start relying on the average citizen to report on ‘news’ then I think you are going to get a lot of "unskilled labor" and the results will be ameturish.
Citizen Journalism – What Is It ?
http://www.MasterNewMedia.org Cambridge Community Television (http://www.cctvcambridge.org/) has just published a very interesting short video explaining what grassroots, citizen journalism is. The video includes some interesting contributions and examples of what citizen reporting may be all about.
Here is a shorter, edited version of the original (15 mins). See the full original version at:
See more new media video clips and news about independent use of communication technologies at:
www.masternewmedia.org
Duration : 0:9:49