The Emergence of Citizen Journalism and how the Internet has Shaped it

Internet accessibility has made it easier for citizens to reach out to one another through citizen journalism. Anyone and everyone who has access to the internet can create new forums for discussions and the exchange of new information. Without a doubt, the internet has shaped the future of journalism. It has changed the way in which news and information is being reported to the masses.

With the aid of the internet, anyone can basically report and discuss new issues and news with other internet users. There is no need for professional reporters to constantly feed the masses with information as citizens would be present on the ground to post updates and new information about issues at hand. Citizens who were present at the scene would be able to provide firsthand experiences about the issue, something which professional journalists do not experience at times.

The Shift in Power

Perhaps one of the greatest benefits that citizen journalism provides is the exclusion of the state and media censorship. For many who are unaware what goes on behind the scenes of the journalism industry, the most powerful people working in the industry are the media gatekeepers. They are the ones who decide the type of news that should be reported and how it should be reported.  As result of the mediated gatekeeping, readers do not to get to choose the type of information they want and how they want the information to be presented to them. Applying the AIDA model in this sense, the media captures the public attention by directing its news agenda to the public to make it seem like it is the most important news that the public should be aware of.  

Now, however, with citizen journalism, the tables have turned. The power and control over the media has shifted from media gatekeepers to concerned citizens and aspiring street journalists who decide what is newsworthy and commendable of our attention. Readers have the ability to determine the type of information they want to get, and how they want it to be interpreted.

A Call for Greater Transparency

Citizen journalism also encourages the sharing of multiple views and interpretations of information.  With the aid of citizen journalism, the masses can get more involved with any information they receive from any source. Media literate readers would be able to get alternative sources of information, and analyze and compare them before passing their judgment on the issue. From this perspective, it can be said that citizen journalism provides greater transparency in news delivery. It provides a checklist for citizens to analyze whether the content provided by professional journalists are accurate and unbiased.

It is also important to note that hypercommercialism is less of an issue when it comes to online citizen journalism. With the exception of a few official online citizen journalism websites like STOMP!, one can hardly see extensive advertisement campaigns being featured by citizen journalists. These advertisements are not only distracting to readers, but they also remove the essence of journalism—to report clear and accurate information for the benefit of the citizens. Unlike newspapers and current affairs magazines (which are plastered with countless of advertisements in every page), citizen journalism captures the true intent of journalism by ensuring that the public remains informed and focused about the issues due to the absence of hypercomercialization.

Lastly, the most important thing to take home from this is the need to be intelligent media literate readers. Instead of blindly absorbing information presented by the media, we should always question the intent and information given by the media.

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