My understanding of citizen journalism

Citizen journalism has become a increasingly popular within the general public. This because they have the opportunity to become involved in the process of informing and analyzing their personal thoughts, ideas and providing information and arguments on world wide news. Citizen journalism has become a world wide movement, which allows citizens from different countries to collaborate and argue with others. Citizen journalism is often viewed as a global conversation growing in power.

I believe citizen journalism is a FANTASTIC opportunity for people without any professional journalism training to express their opinions and arguments on any topic varying from personal thoughts to debating world issues, with the tools of modern technology. Over recent years the access and technologies have lowered the barriers to entry, allowing anyone to easily use the internet and mobile phones. News Corporations now encourages and relies on citizens to provide video images and sound files on news stories,which they may not contain.

For example,during the London terrorist bombing in July 2005, a victim of this tragic day had taken a picture with their mobile phone camera, capturing a man escaping the train and another man covering his mouth with a cloth to help him breath. This particular image was published on the front pages of newspapers around the world.

In the book, We The Media by Dan Gillmor, I came across a quote, which to me summaries the importance of citizen journalism. " If you don't like the news... go out and make some of your own" - Wes "Scoop" Nisker


What are your opinions on citizen journalism. Do you agree with some of my ideas, or disagree?