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Are citizen journalists more trustworthy than professional journalists?
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Results so far:
| Yes | 43% | 250 votes | Total: 575 votes | |
| No | 57% | 325 votes |
Yes
by Carolyn Tytler
Created on: May 03, 2008
Citizen journalists are more trustworthy than professional journalists, and clever editors should take advantage of their skills whenever they have an opportunity to do so. Authors of frequent "Letters to the Editor" in the local newspaper will provide names and reveal clues as to the literary ability of the writers.
If talented people are invited to submit articles of interest on community affairs, they would probably be thrilled to do so. Some will likely work for the pleasure of knowing their work will be read and appreciated by friends and neighbors. Others may request a small stipend for their efforts, but it will certainly be less costly than paying for the column of a well-known feature writer.
The advantages of utilizing citizen journalists are many. Among them are:
- Citizen journalists will report on people, places or events in which they are personally interested. No one gave them a definite assignment and told them when, where, and how long to write the required article. The spice of their enthusiasm for the topic will seep through into their writing, making it more interesting for readers.
- As a general rule, they will take the time and the trouble to investigate subtle details which professionals may overlook because of looming deadlines or other time constraints. No one is looking over the shoulder of the citizen journalist urging him to finish in time for the morning (or evening) edition.
-They do not have to bow to the usual political stance of a particular newspaper or chain of publications. They are free to report the truth as they see it. They are more likely to produce completely unbiased copy and this could occasionally function as a good balance to the usual editorial stance of the publication.
- Because they are independent agents, citizen journalists will be anxious to merit repeat requests for their efforts. Their articles are likely to be clear, well-organized, with correct spelling, punctuation , and faultless grammar. They realize substandard work will probably end up in the wastepaper basket. They are not used to having imperfections corrected by an editor.
-Citizen journalists come from all walks of society. Since they do not usually hang around with professional journalists, they will bring fresh topics and different perspectives from those readers have come to expect. Some additions will be welcomed, others may not. In any case, it will provide valuable feedback to the staff as to which of their features are most appreciated and why.
- Citizen journalists encompass people from all age brackets. The high school senior writing about teenage interests and events will attract one segment of readers. A retired grandparent writing a column about upcoming seniors' events in the community will be avidly scanned by another. Citizen journalists' efforts can be rotated to appeal to different age groups either randomly or on a predetermined schedule.
Utilizing the talents of citizen journalists creates a win-win situation. The writers gain experience in writing for publication, and have the pleasure of receiving comments, compliments, and recognition for their efforts. Editors gain access to columns with original material, fresh insights, and diverse perspectives from various segments within the community, either cost-free or for very modest remuneration.
Citizen journalists are more trustworthy than professional journalists. They write for the sheer pleasure of expressing their thoughts on paper, and their finished products will be as perfect as they can make them. They have no hidden agendas and no time constraints. They will write about what they know, so their facts will be accurate and reflect the perspectives of those within their social circles and age brackets. All these factors are bonuses which will be handed on a silver platter to the clever editor who makes use of the considerable talents of citizen journalists.
Learn more about this author, Carolyn Tytler.
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No
by Marilyn De Angelis Pennell
Created on: June 09, 2008 Last Updated: May 22, 2012
The image of an army of citizens toting cameras and notebooks, pursuing politicians and seeking out corruption is not what comes to mind when I think of citizen journalism. But what I think and what you think may be two totally different things.
Before we can debate whether or not citizen journalists are more "trustworthy" than professional journalists, we need to first define what citizen journalism is and what it isn't. And that is not an easy task.
The Poynter Institute, an esteemed center for journalism excellence in Florida, published a recent online piece by journalist Steve Outing that contends that citizen journalism has "eleven layers", including user comments; citizen blogs; "Wiki journalism", where citizens are the sole writers and editors and stand alone news websites written and published entirely by citizens.
Outing, however, says that he has yet to encounter news organizations where professional and citizen journalists work side by side, with equivalent resources, demands and responsibilities. But he also says that news organizations want to understand citizen journalism better and are seeking to ways to incorporate citizen voices into
Journalism.
According to Outing ".. there is plenty of confusion about citizen journalism. What exactly is it? Is this something that's going to be essential to the future prosperity of news companies?"
The problem is that there is not one way to "do" citizen journalism. Citizen journalism is evolving. The revolution in convergent digital media technologies, media deregulation and the rise of the Internet and Web have opened up journalism and media to citizens in new and exciting ways.
Now, regular folks can communicate with a worldwide audience with the click of a mouse by submitting a video online, writing a blog, taking photos with a camera phone and uploading them and generally participating more fully in the public debate. This is all good. In fact it has re-energized media and journalism and made them more democratic, open and lively.
But to imply that there is one form of citizen journalism and purport that people who participate in it are "more trustworthy" is to miss the point. Citizen journalism and professional journalism complement each other but they are not the same enterprise. Each kind of journalism has its place and value. But citizen journalism is not inherently more trustworthy than professional print, broadcast or online journalism.
Why? In the interests of full disclosure, I must say that I teach journalism to college students and am a professional journalist myself, with a Master's degree in the field. I understand and appreciate the fact that these days, many people lack confidence in the media and are suspicious of journalists, sometimes for good reason.
But in fairness to those who work in the trenches as professional journalists, I must say that most are ethical, responsible and fair. This is what they are taught when they study and practice the craft of journalism. The job of the journalist is to"seek the truth and report it", according to the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) ethical code.
The First Amendment guarntees Americans the right to freedom of speech and a free press, without government interference. However, it does not guarantee freedom from corporate values or ideology. That's the problem.
Though the government cannot interfere with what news organizations choose to publish, corporate owners can and sometimes do. This is at the heart of this debate. People do not trust media owners to be trustworthy. Some believe that citizen journalists are more trustworthy due to the fact that they are not beholden to corporate interests. But does this mean that professional journalists in general are not trustworthy? No.
Professional journalists, that is reporters, writers and editors who write and publish news (versus talk show hosts and TV commentators) are required to methodically and systematically search out facts and other peoples' opinions and report them in a balanced and objective manner. In traditional journalism, a journalist's personal opinions are expressed only on the editorial pages, not in news stories.
Though some citizen journalist do contribute newsworthy information, either to news organizations or citizen publications, many express personal opinions through blogs and other means. These personal opinions are certainly valid expressions, but they reflect the writer's personal point of view and are not traditional news reporting.
This is in no way to diminish citizen journalism and the people who practice it, in its many forms. The bottom line isconsider the source. As readers, we also share a responsibility to be critical consumers of media and journalism.
Perhaps pure objectivity is impossible, but it is the job of the professional journalist to strive for it and to reflect it in his or her work. Citizen journalists are also making a major contribution to journalism today. It is my belief that each oneprofessionals and citizens alike- can and should make an important contribution to the public debate and transform journalism in the process.
Learn more about this author, Marilyn De Angelis Pennell.
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