Hardly a day goes by without reading or watching the news. In this article I look at why citizen journalism matters today, what it takes to do it well, and where its limits are.
What is citizen journalism?
Citizen journalism is when an ordinary citizen reports an incident or a piece of news. Blogs, vlogs and posts on social media have made it more popular than ever. These reporters are not professionals and do not belong to any mainstream media organisation. They are people who were once only the audience and now present events from their own perspective. Many trace the idea to South Korea.
To be a good citizen journalist you need clear, precise writing and a good command of the target language. Simple words that your audience understands work best. For a related piece, read Citizen Journalism: what it is and how to do it responsibly.
Why it has grown
Media works very differently from the way it did before. Many people feel that some media houses have lost credibility, and that is one reason citizen journalism has grown. The internet has also created new work opportunities. Writing skills and a good command of words can lead to success in this field.
Wherever you are, at home, at work, in Delhi or in Mumbai, you can learn about an earthquake or an attack anywhere in the world with a single click. Many events are first known to us through the posts of ordinary people.
Giving a voice to people
- It lets individuals show their talent, working alone or with an organisation.
- It can bring up issues that mainstream media give little space to.
- It gives a voice to weaker sections of society who are often left out of the news.
A note of caution
Many readers say they trust citizen journalists more because they are independent and speak without fear. Trust still has to be earned. Citizen journalists should check facts, name their sources and avoid spreading rumours. The same technology that helps them report also makes it easy to spread false information.
Conclusion
As technology grows, more and more people will report from where they live. Done carefully, citizen journalism shows us a fuller picture of the world.
