An introduction to Citizen Journalism

Citizen Journalists are the people who write about and advocate their communities through their postings in blogs, they do not necessarily have to posses formal journalism education (Fanselow 2009, p.24). These journalists may posts any kinds of news items, from videotapes, digital photo related to the news, to critiques about factual errors from a newspapers or mainstream media (Glaser 2006, p.1)

Advanced technology plays a very significant role in the existence of Citizen Journalism. In the meantime, excellent tools for capturing live events are affordable for the average citizen, this apparatus can simply be digital camera to video phone. These apparatus enable average citizens to make news and globally distribute it. (Glaser 2006, p.1)

Citizen journalism is very useful in distributing news especially from the restricted countries whose government restrict the freedom of speech of their citizens, to name a few, China, Iran, Libya, Tunisia, Vietnam, Syria, Egypt, users from these countries are commonly jailed if the government consider them commiting online offences
(SMH 2006, p.1)

However, not all people are very dedicated in being citizen journalists, some people use this opportunity foolishly by posting unreliable news merit. For Instance, CBS who give the users opportunity to upload news, to its user-generated site, cbseyemobile.com has its generosity mistreated. Instead of posting news worthy items, one of the users posted a video about 3 women performing sexual acts on each other (Learmonth 2008, p.1)



References :

Glaser, M. 2008, Your guide to Citizen Journalism, pbs.org,
http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2006/09/your-guide-to-citizen-journalism270.html,
viewed 09 mARCH 2009

Fanselow, Julie. "Community blogging: The new wave of citizen journalism." National Civic Review 97.4 (Winter2008 2008): 24-29. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. [Library name], [City], [State abbreviation]. 12 Mar. 2009 .

Learmonth, Michael. "Media Morph: CBS gets a rude lesson in citizen journalism." Advertising Age 79.37 (06 Oct. 2008): 30-30. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. [Library name], [City], [State abbreviation]. 12 Mar. 2009 .

SMH.com, 2006, Censors some calling, In XOMM 315 Reader, http://www.smh.com.au/news/technology/censors-some-calling//2..., viewed 23 September 2008