The emergence of the internet has speeded up the ability to be a citizen journalist and social media makes it easier to communicate to lots of people. Take for instance, the Iran elections in 2009, in which traditional news corporations were blocked by the authorities. Subsequently, it was down to to the public to be the journalists, display the pictures the world would see, through Twitter, Facebook and other social media platforms. Obviously, this can show how the public can be the news reporters but it can also put them in dangerous position. The Arab Spring has also been an example of where the public can take pictures and tweet to show the real event. For example, Al-Jazeera’s citizen media service received 1,000 camera-phone videos. The head of the the Al-Jazeera service said that “Now our main stories are driven by images captured by citizens on the street, it’s no longer just a supporting image. In most cases citizens capture the breaking news moments first". It is incredible how smartphones have revolutionised news reporting, citizens can inform and educate the media and the public. A report in the Guardian also suggested they are looking for, "open vision for journalism", whereby laypeople, who may not have any formal expertise, will be allowed key to the media group’s future"(Guardian pins digital future on citizen journalism). The fact that a historic newspaper, like The Guardian, can see the opportunities in promoting citizenship journalism through using smartphones and tablets, demonstrates that this is a concept not to be ignored. I've compiled several news stories that have been deeply influenced by "laypeople" clicking buttons on their smartphones and becoming "news reporters".
‘… when major events occur, the public can offer us as much new information as we are able to broadcast to them. From now on, news coverage is a partnership.’
Japanese Earthquake
The Japanese people filmed and took pictures of the horrific earthquake and following Tsunami. This allowed the world to see the dramatic scenes and carnage from a perspective of those right in the middle of the tragedy.
London Riots
The London Riots of Summer 2011 shocked the globe, with visions of burning buildings etched in the audience's mind. Members of the public film the rioters breaking into shops, looting goods but also the heavy police presence. These videos not only inform the world through social media on the event but also can aid police investigations.
The London Riots of Summer 2011 shocked the globe, with visions of burning buildings etched in the audience's mind. Members of the public film the rioters breaking into shops, looting goods but also the heavy police presence. These videos not only inform the world through social media on the event but also can aid police investigations.
Lady ranting of tram
Perhaps one of the most shocking examples of Citizenship Journalism, in which someone on a tram secretly films a woman who is being racist. The tram had a diverse set of people on it and she directs the torrent of abuse towards them, making generalisations and showing how the spontaneous citizenship journalism can do good, to root this dreadful sort of thing out of society. This video meant police could find her, arrest her and she was subsequently charged.
Perhaps one of the most shocking examples of Citizenship Journalism, in which someone on a tram secretly films a woman who is being racist. The tram had a diverse set of people on it and she directs the torrent of abuse towards them, making generalisations and showing how the spontaneous citizenship journalism can do good, to root this dreadful sort of thing out of society. This video meant police could find her, arrest her and she was subsequently charged.
The Hudson Landing
In early 2009 US Airways flight 1549 was flying from La Guardia Airport to Charlotte, in North Carolina when it hit a flock of Canadian Geese. Subsequenlty, it crash landed in the Hudson River next to Manhattan, meaning lots of members of the public saw it and thus a lot of the first pictures were from these "laypeople. For instance, the picture below was a tweeted picture by a man who was catching the ferry at the time the plane crashed.
London Bombings
Members of the pubic turned news reporters on the 7th July 2005 when the city of London was rocked by suicide bombers on its transport network. The first ever citizen journalism award was given to a photo that was taken during this event. The mere fact that there are now awards for this type of journalism echoes the need to respect it as an important form of news. The winning picture shows the moments after the number 30 bus was bombed in Tavistock Square. A powerful reminder of how citizenship journalist can capture the most raw moments.
This addiction to smartphones, the obsession of tweeting, uploading photos and updating statuses means we are living in society where so much can be captured without professional journalists having to be there. Social media's accessibility allows normal people to capture events that could otherwise be unseen, they inform, educate and illuminate. As the use of smart phones and social media grows, one would assume the growth of citizenship journalism will as well.
No comments:
Post a Comment