Do you have any prior knowledge of citizen journalism?
In today’s digital world, where social media plays a key role, every day you come across news or information published by an individual rather than a formal news organization.
How do you think this will affect how we view and absorb information?
Over the years Citizen journalism has revolutionized democracy and freedom of speech. Citizen journalism is a relatively new modern branch of Journalism that is carried out by people who are not journalists by profession but they share information or news over the internet. The interesting part is that anyone can be a citizen journalist, people don’t need any degree or qualification to be a citizen journalist, they need information worthy of significant attention and an internet connection.
However, even if it is rarely acknowledged, the idea of public journalism is not new. With a simple camera, Abraham Zapruder recorded the assassination of John F. Kennedy on video. His record helped to spread the news of the assassination. He is widely regarded as the founder of citizen journalism.
Difference between Citizen Journalism and Journalis
A professional journalist researches the issues to report it however, citizen journalists are personally affected by the story, or they volunteer to share someone else’s misery with the world.
Characteristics of Citizen Journalism
Publishing an article can affect the world; it doesn’t have to be done every day or even every month to qualify as a citizen of journalism. This is mainly motivated by a sense of social obligation, and conscientiousness.
Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, WordPress, and Tumblr are now the most widely used self-publishing platforms for citizen journalism. Additionally, the sharing of images, personal narratives, and firsthand reports makes citizen journalism valuable and acceptable to the public.
Citizen Journalism and Yellow Journalism
Reporting that places a strong emphasis on dramatization and is usually incorrect or overstated is known as “yellow journalism.” Its main goals are to increase sales, expand money, and spark enthusiasm in a certain publication. In contrast, citizen journalism seeks to present a variety of viewpoints, and grassroots reporting and it is particularly concerned with local problems and events. It offers more authentic representations of these occurrences.
Citizen Journalism in Bangladesh
After two students were killed in an accident in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in 2018, students in the country started protesting for increased road safety. In covering and recording the protests, many students took up the vital role of citizen journalists by posting real-time information, pictures, and videos on social media.
International example of Citizen Journalism Citizen Journalism
Since the whole world was in lockdown during COVID-19, journalists were unable to leave their homes and disseminate information. Through blogs, vlogs, social media, and internet forums, people from all around the world have been sharing their experiences, viewpoints, and firsthand reports of the COVID-19 epidemic during those critical times. The viewpoints on how the epidemic has impacted various communities and people have been presented via this citizen-generated material are varied.
Following the death of George Floyd, there were large-scale protests all around the world and in the United States, and many people recorded and shared films and pictures of the protests, police responses, and community reactions. These pictures taken by witnesses offered crucial viewpoints and helped us grasp the events more broadly.
Become a citizen journalist by sharing any development-related ideas you may have with the world. Someone out there has the answer to your problem. Citizen journalism encourages authenticity and hopes for a better tomorrow. Recognize that in this digital age, every voice has the power to mold the narrative.
Be the change you wish to see in the world by embracing the power of citizen journalism!
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Writer
Sumaiya Islam Sonali
Intern
Content Writing Department
YSSE