by Bhumika Ghimire

Created on: March 10, 2008   Last Updated: April 25, 2008

I am a citizen journalist and believe that bloggers and citizen journalists deserve the same opportunity as the mainstream journalists in covering the Congress or any major event.

The reason,I believe, we are having this debate whether bloggers or citizen journalists are even "journalists" is a result of elitist mentality in the American journalism.You have to go to big name J-School to be a good journalist, you have be reporter at the New York Times or the Washington Post otherwise you don't exist, well excuse me but times have changed and now bloggers and citizen journalist are willing and trying to contribute(if only they were give the access).

I am not trying to completely discount the mainstream journalists here. Yes, they have a long history of holding those in office accountable, informing people and holding mirror to the society. If it were not for Washington Post we should not know about the Walter Reed Hospital scandal, if it were not for The New York Times so many events around the world and in US would be completely forgotten. We owe them respect but with changing times and technology, there is a new breed of journalists/reporter who are willing to take up the burden. Why ignore them?

In last couple of years bloggers have contributed substantially as journalists. For example look at the exponential growth of news blogs like Wonkette, HuffingtonPost and many more. They offering something traditional media is not. Why treat these fine bloggers as outcasts?

Yes, some of you are worried about the quality of journalistic work by bloggers and citizen journalists. I agree, there is education and training gap but it can filled with proper training. If citizen journalists are ignored then there is no incentive for them to improve their skills. They have to be welcomed into the journalism world and encourage to sharpen their skill and contribute.

We are now standing at a cross road when it comes to journalism. Traditional news outlets are facing challenges by new technology and new breed of journalists. It would be in their interest and that of the public to include citizen journalists and bloggers.

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