Citizen Journalism

As I was getting ready for school this morning, I was listening to CBC radio, and they were talking about the development of what is called "citizen journalism". Basically it is where people who are not journalists by occupation are writing and informing others about news items. For example, the trial regarding the murders of prostitutes on the Pickton pig farm in BC is receiving massive media attention. A news website (I can't remember what it was called) has hired sex trade workers to attend the hearings and report on them. The rationale behind this is that these people will have insider's knowledge of the case and can perhaps give a more in-depth perspective than the average journalist. As is happening in other areas of expertise through technology, people who are not "professionals" are being given the chance to contribute their own unique knowledge and skills. Supporters say that this results in a type of journalism that is more subjective than objective, and perhaps lends a more human perspective to the news. Opponents worry that if everyone were to become "journalists" that many conflicting stories would result and credibility would be nill. This would lead to a very untrusting view of anything that is seen and reported in the news - it would become harder to discern fact from fiction.

This is yet another example of how technology is restructuring the way we live our lives and receive our information. At this point I lean towards getting my news from traditional forms of journalism because these people are held to certain standards of credibility. At the same time, though, even professionals have the capacity to make mistakes and be dishonest. I am already critical of the media, and I think that sometimes what isn't said says just as much as what is said. Perhaps more truly relevant stories will come out of citizen journalism, things that might not be brought to our attention otherwise. Anyone can recap the latest celebrity weddings and breakups from the last year, but how many people are truly aware of the plights of people in places in Africa like Sudan and the Congo? If anyone has any thoughts on this I'd be glad to hear them.