Citizen Journalist
Caterin L. Villar
November 27, 2011
English 102
Professor Rigney
Is Assuming the Role of Citizen Journalist worth the Risk?
Amateur journalism is becoming more and more popular everyday with the advancement of technology. Newspapers across America have become so decimated by staff cutbacks that citizen journalists are stepping in to fill the gap in covering the news. Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube are only some of the free websites where users are connected with others and can share in an instant what is happening in their side of the world. When the people formerly known as the audience employ the press tools they have in their possession to inform one another, that’s citizen journalism (Rosen). Yulianti’s article states “Professionals in the media show a tendency to overlook the existence of many ordinary citizens out there who embrace the idea of participatory journalism, people who have shifted from being passive media consumers to active citizen reporters, believing they can create a better society if they get involved in conveying the news” (Rottenburg and Wincell 267). The risk that citizens have taken in journalism has resulted in more interesting, accurate and thorough coverage of daily events. Their coverage of daily news has resulted in a positive change in society.
Citizen journalist have the power to inform the residents of local events taking place where they live that otherwise may not be covered by their local news. In Connecticut, we recently had a freak snowstorm in late October. This snowstorm caused extensive damage to the electrical infrastructure of Connecticut. I did not lose power, yet I watched the news and saw the ample coverage of the snowstorm. I wondered how the people who did not have electricity would get the various emergency messages the governor sent over television. Many stated that they were able to get news by other people’s Facebook statuses thru their phone. Others, especially those who stayed in shelters, were
November 27, 2011
English 102
Professor Rigney
Is Assuming the Role of Citizen Journalist worth the Risk?
Amateur journalism is becoming more and more popular everyday with the advancement of technology. Newspapers across America have become so decimated by staff cutbacks that citizen journalists are stepping in to fill the gap in covering the news. Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube are only some of the free websites where users are connected with others and can share in an instant what is happening in their side of the world. When the people formerly known as the audience employ the press tools they have in their possession to inform one another, that’s citizen journalism (Rosen). Yulianti’s article states “Professionals in the media show a tendency to overlook the existence of many ordinary citizens out there who embrace the idea of participatory journalism, people who have shifted from being passive media consumers to active citizen reporters, believing they can create a better society if they get involved in conveying the news” (Rottenburg and Wincell 267). The risk that citizens have taken in journalism has resulted in more interesting, accurate and thorough coverage of daily events. Their coverage of daily news has resulted in a positive change in society.
Citizen journalist have the power to inform the residents of local events taking place where they live that otherwise may not be covered by their local news. In Connecticut, we recently had a freak snowstorm in late October. This snowstorm caused extensive damage to the electrical infrastructure of Connecticut. I did not lose power, yet I watched the news and saw the ample coverage of the snowstorm. I wondered how the people who did not have electricity would get the various emergency messages the governor sent over television. Many stated that they were able to get news by other people’s Facebook statuses thru their phone. Others, especially those who stayed in shelters, were