The arrival of the Internet or more specifically, Web 2.0 has given rise to what we know as Citizen Journalism today. Citizen journalism is a specific form of both citizen media and user generated content, where users of the internet (like you and me) are able to play an active role in gathering, creating, analyzing and disseminating news and information about anything and anyone over new media, or rather, the Internet.
New media includes social media and networking sites (which are no longer foreign to me) that are crucial components in enabling greater accessibility of citizen journalism for people all over the world. Internet users are now free to publish their discoveries, thoughts, and feelings on a certain topic on the Web where information spreads like wildfire, at a rate never before imagined before advanced digital media existed.
As a result, in recent years there arises the debate of whether the Internet acts as a friend or a foe to journalism. On top of addressing this issue, it is imperative in my opinion that we go one step further to consider the future of journalism given that the Internet -and hence Citizen journalism- is here to stay, for good.
Andrew Keen is a British-American entrepreneur and author who is known more famously for his view on how current Internet culture and the Web 2.0 trend may be degrading culture. (Source: Wikipedia) And this is video highlights his general opinion on how the internet is affecting journalism as we edge towards the future:
Basically, he pointed out that traditional media definitely has its worth and value, despite the increasing focus and attention placed on citizen journalism as a result of the convergence of the Internet and journalism. I do agree with him, that as much as the Internet has provided a whole new approach to journalism and the various technological tools which enhances the overall experience of new media and citizen journalism, traditional media and journalism is distinctively irreplaceable ought to be respected in the sense that they have social value which is not always seen online or through social media. I will illustrate my point further later on.
Before that, here is another video which talks about some of the views towards how industrial media is shifting and changing to one where citizen journalism is becoming the prominent feature of this new media and whether it is a change that we should embrace or react against. Of course, the fact that the Internet threatens traditional media to a certain extent shows that new media has something valuable to offer which was previously lacking in traditional journalism, and hence the revolution.
Economist Debate: The news industry
In this video, journalism professor Jay Rosen asserts that the internet has indeed, caused considerable damage to the traditional media industry, by “causing a collapse of the business model that has supported most print-based or traditional journalism — and at the same time has led to an explosion of questionable online content that pretends to be journalism”.
However, the numerous benefits that the Internet has brought about to journalism today are unquestionable.
- The Internet reduces the cost of publishing news and information to audiences globally, encouraging greater participation and expression of ideas, thoughts, and opinions, contributing to an increase in knowledge-sharing worldwide.
- Journalism is no longer constrained or limited to geographical boundaries, since media consumers can get news and commentary from virtually any source.
- Internet and technology has enriched the whole experience of users in obtaining as well as creating journalism. It provides tools and new features to the public, such as search engines, online databases, photos (which is extremely useful in photo journalism, helping one to capture the essence of the story), videos, and so much more.
- Perhaps one of the most outstanding benefits which cause the mass to embrace citizen journalism is the fact that the Internet alters the balance of power between users and (traditional) journalists. It equips any individual with a voice and a say, to express differing and even contradictory views from the press, which have through the years established monopoly over news and published information, an aspect of traditional media one too many people frown upon.
“The web's effect on news reporting is considered the most clear evidence that this is a revolutionary technology: news editors – and in some cases, the governments that they observe – are no longer the gatekeepers to information because costs of distribution have almost completely disappeared. If knowledge is power, the web is the greatest tool in the history of the world.
The process that happens before a story is published has also been transformed. The web has become the go-to point for the globe when it comes to getting information; it's the same for reporters. Online, they find a multiplicity of perspectives and a library of available knowledge that provides the context for stories. Increasingly, the stories are coming from the web.”
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/feb/20/what-effect-internet-on-journalism
Personally, I do feel that the merging of the Internet and journalism, and hence citizen journalism, has caused traditional media business to decline for obvious reasons. There is increased competition for broadcast of news and the latest updates on real life events, placing immense strains on journalists who now not only have to be quick and efficient in their collecting of news, but also have the pressure to provide exclusive, reasonable, and exemplary analysis and commentary of news. Not to forget, citizen journalism wins when it comes to low cost publishing of information, and that is where traditional journalism stands to lose.
But all is not lost. The fact that traditional journalism faces the threat of suffering the same fate of “museums”, as stated in the video, is surprisingly constructive in the sense that it acts as an urgent reminder and great incentive for journalists today to take greater pride in their work and produce top-notch, quality work. This is in turn advantageous to media consumers like you and me. Moreover, as said earlier, I feel that traditional journalism has an edge over citizen journalism since the former definitely has to have a certain standard and more importantly, the notion of SOCIAL VALUE AND VALIDITY. It is what brings citizens of a nation together, and despite the competitiveness of new media, I believe traditional media and thus journalism will not be exterminated.
That is not to say of course, that citizen journalism has no value. In fact, it is perhaps one of the most vital and expedient revolutions that technology has brought about. Citizen journalism is definitely one of the best things that results from the Web 2.0. It opens our eyes to multitudes of ideas and perspectives every single day, learning from all kinds of people from all parts of the world. Everyone is given a level playing field in the distributing and obtaining of latest content and information, and this degree of freedom certainly encourages people to be more truthful, given that they too, as media consumers, desire truth. News then becomes more transparent and open. This form of integration of people, countries, and news reports is one which was previously impossible before we had the luxury of accessing the Internet.
That being said, it is strategic that we equip ourselves with media literacy and not blindly absorb what is published on the Internet. A moment of poor judgment can result in negative and disastrous implications, especially since content posted on the Internet has every possibility of going viral and misleading the impressionable. It is important that as both media consumers and producers (as part of citizen journalism), we are able to discern the truth from the false and the right from the wrong.
Some key points to take note as we evaluate online journalism:
- Accuracy: The author of the produced content should be identifiable, reliable, and contactable
- Authority: The URL and its legitimacy
- Objectivity: Content should be relevant, appropriate and without a hidden agenda
- Currency: Material online should be up to date
- Coverage: Information online should be quoted and linked accurately and correctly
All in all, the Internet has definitely posed some significant challenges to traditional journalism, but its contributions to journalism on the whole cannot be denied. In reality, I feel that citizen journalism complements traditional journalism by encouraging competitiveness to produce quality and valuable news. Furthermore, the availability of resources online enables journalists to gather immeasurably large amount of information and diverse opinions of people universally, thus further analyzing trends of certain issues that cannot be easily derived at in the past. The Internet is indisputably here to stay, and so is citizen journalism. However, after watching the videos in class and reading up on various articles which touch on this topic, I too feel that we as a society need to reevaluate the worth of newspaper and traditional journalism, to see that it has social and economic value beyond what most people recognize or give credit for. As such, despite the fact that citizen journalism is rising rampantly, I feel that the future of journalism is far from over.
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