The advancement of technology has enabled people to actively take part in the dissemination of news and information. With the usage of image capturing devices found conveniently in everyday appliances such as mobile phones, people are now able to further their ability to bring news and reports to others. No longer is news reporting restricted to the media but opened for all.
Citizen journalism, also known as "participatory journalism," is the act of citizens "playing an active role in the process of collecting, reporting, analyzing and disseminating news and information". (Citizen Journalism, 2007) As mentioned above, the role of news gathering and sharing is an activity that anyone be it educational level or age can participate in. Even the aunties and uncles who gossips at coffee shops are able to consider themselves as participants of this new form of journalism.
So what benefits does citizen journalism bring about? In the past, people who were not of the journalistic profession, simply received information from press companies. Their individualistic point’s of view was completely ignored thus rendering them to be voiceless. With this new form of journalism, the ability of anyone to make the news will give new voice to people who’ve felt voiceless—and whose words we need to hear. (Gillmor, 2004) In countless episodes of societal events, the credibility of newspapers and the media are most often questioned because of the fear that a story might be biased. The rise of citizen journalism reassures the voiceless that stories and news which they receive originate from ordinary folks such as themselves.
Citizen journalism, also known as "participatory journalism," is the act of citizens "playing an active role in the process of collecting, reporting, analyzing and disseminating news and information". (Citizen Journalism, 2007) As mentioned above, the role of news gathering and sharing is an activity that anyone be it educational level or age can participate in. Even the aunties and uncles who gossips at coffee shops are able to consider themselves as participants of this new form of journalism.
So what benefits does citizen journalism bring about? In the past, people who were not of the journalistic profession, simply received information from press companies. Their individualistic point’s of view was completely ignored thus rendering them to be voiceless. With this new form of journalism, the ability of anyone to make the news will give new voice to people who’ve felt voiceless—and whose words we need to hear. (Gillmor, 2004) In countless episodes of societal events, the credibility of newspapers and the media are most often questioned because of the fear that a story might be biased. The rise of citizen journalism reassures the voiceless that stories and news which they receive originate from ordinary folks such as themselves.
STOMP also known as “Straits Times Online Mobile Print” (STOMP (online portal), 2007) enables Singaporeans to interact and engage in local current affairs via three platforms; online, mobile and print. Recently as I explored it, I realized that unlike the conventional method of news reporting, STOMP included in its news, everyday events such as illegal parking, arguing parties in public and even reports of April Fool Hoaxes. Also, in comparison to regular news paper reports which would normally require a reporter to be present at an event, the news from STOMP were as you can say “taken off the streets”. However, although this may seem to add credibility to the reports, many critics of citizen journalism may find it as an invasion of privacy.
An example of this would be about ugly commuters in the train. The sender of the article took a photo depicting how a passenger couple obstructed the door and in the process preventing others from entering an exiting with ease. In my opinion, although the sender of the picture and story was merely voicing her views, I would consider it a paparazzi-styled report rather than an important and useful piece of news which instead of benefiting the general public, seemed to cause embarrassment to those involved.
Although STOMP allows its citizen journalist to report about practically anything as I have mentioned before, there are still limitations to it. Politics and sexual matters are examples of such. As citizen journalism requires the view of topics to be covered from all angles of the previously voiceless, it is important that freedom of expression should not be compromised. Therefore to improve the site’s function of citizen journalism, I feel that no matter what topics are discussed, there should not be any filtering of information.
In conclusion, STOMP clearly demonstrates itself as a good example of citizen journalism. However although this is the case, with the present filtering of certain information, the main aim of being a voice to the voiceless would clearly be compromised.
References:
Gillmor, D (2004, July). We the media Grassroots Journalism by the people for the people. Retrieved March, 27, 2007, from http://download.nowis.com/index.cfm?phile=WeTheMedia.html&tipe=text/html
Citizen Journalism. (2007). In Wikipedia [Web]. Retrieved March, 27, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizen_journalism
STOMP (online portal). (2007). In Wikipedia [Web]. Retrieved March, 28, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STOMP_(online_portal)
STOMP. Retrieved on March 30, 2007 from http://www.stomp.com.sg/
References:
Gillmor, D (2004, July). We the media Grassroots Journalism by the people for the people. Retrieved March, 27, 2007, from http://download.nowis.com/index.cfm?phile=WeTheMedia.html&tipe=text/html
Citizen Journalism. (2007). In Wikipedia [Web]. Retrieved March, 27, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizen_journalism
STOMP (online portal). (2007). In Wikipedia [Web]. Retrieved March, 28, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STOMP_(online_portal)
STOMP. Retrieved on March 30, 2007 from http://www.stomp.com.sg/
1 comment:
Good eye Derek. Full grades.
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