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Citizen Journalism
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Add to FavoritesJust as local politicians are usually more honest than their federal counterparts, local citizen journalists are often more reliable than professional journalists. This does not reflect a personal fault or any intentional bias on the part of any individual. It is merely the cumulative result of the circumstances in which the professional journalist finds his- or herself. There is an eventual detachment experienced between professional journalists and 'the real world' that results in a lower quality of reporting.
As reporters start their careers, they are fighting hard for scoop and eager to uncover the real story. They are not jaded by boring assignments, repeated themes, stubborn interviewees, and unyielding subjects. Although they are often assigned the more mundane assignments, they find a particular and indescribable thrill in the city council meeting, the police beat, or even the obituaries. They attack their subject matter with zeal and do the very best they can to bring that story to life.
Years down the road, when they are juggling assignments with daily deadlines, they do not have the time or attention to focus on each individual story. Little clues that would uncover a larger picture go unnoticed in the hurry. Bias from previous stories begins to trickle into the text. Cynicism becomes more common.
Professional journalists are taught to sensationalize. They find themselves stripped of their original writing style and standards and molded to whatever their company needs. In every way, professional journalists are as much salesman as they are reporters. Editors push content that appeals to a particular audience. Doom, gloom, sex, and scandal are the primary themes of professional journalism.
Furthermore, especially in corporate America, there is an intense bias in national and syndicated media. Every company is owned by another company who owns someone else.
Imagine this scenario:
The national newspaper is contacted from a whistle-blower from a particular company. This individual is aware of some serious violations of federal and state laws occurring at the company, including the hiring of illegal aliens and unlicensed professionals.
Unfortunately, the organization that owns the newspaper also owns the company in question. What kind of spin do you imagine that the newspaper will place on that story? Will it be a fair, equitable view of the issues? Will it condemn the company for its illegal and unethical practices? Unlikely. It is far more likely that the newspaper will smooth it over, attempting to make the situation appear less than it really is.
Of course, if the company were owned by a competitor, the story would reek of outrage and scandal. It all depends on the bias of the journalist, editor, and the owner.
However, a citizen journalist is subject to no such censorship, and will merely call the facts as they are seen. Citizen journalists offer a refreshing objectivity and truthfulness that was once expected - and required - of professional media.
Learn more about this author, Nicole Thelin.
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No
CITIZEN VERSUS PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS: IS ONE MORE TRUSTWORTHY THAN THE OTHER?
A CITIZEN ARMY
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.
Accor ding 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?"
WITH THE CLICK OF A MOUSE
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.
SEEK THE TRUTH AND REPORT IT
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.
CONSIDER THE SOURCE
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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