Citizen journalism

Citizen journalism is a form of news gathering and reporting. It is also called collaborative, participatory, or grassroots journalism. This practice involves members of a community playing an active role in news. They collect, report, analyze, and share information. Unlike professional journalists, these individuals work outside mainstream media institutions. They often respond to gaps in professional news coverage. Courtney C. Radsch defines it as an activist form of news gathering. It uses similar journalistic practices but follows different objectives. It relies on alternative sources of legitimacy rather than traditional ones. Jay Rosen offers a simpler view of this concept. He says it occurs when the audience uses press tools to inform one another.

This practice is highly embedded in local communities. Residents engage in daily routines of community storytelling. They report on local politics, public affairs, and community events. They also cover neighborhood issues, schools, and public transportation. Citizen journalism is a specific type of user-generated content. It is also a form of citizen media. The term connects journalism to the political and public sphere. It emphasizes civic-mindedness and social responsibility. This is different from community or civic journalism. Those terms refer to work done by professional journalists. It is also distinct from collaborative journalism. That involves professionals and non-professionals working together. Social journalism refers to digital publications using a hybrid model.

Technology has made citizen journalism much more feasible. New media technology provides the necessary tools for this work. Social networking and media-sharing websites are essential components. The increasing use of cellular telephones has also helped. These tools make reporting accessible to people worldwide. Terry Flew identifies three critical elements for its rise. These are open publishing, collaborative editing, and distributed content. Mark Glaser noted that people without professional training can now participate. They use the Internet to create, augment, or fact-check media. They can do this alone or in collaboration with others. This allows for a much faster flow of information.

There are several distinct ways people participate in this field. J. D. Lasica classifies these into various media types. One type is audience participation. This includes user comments, personal blogs, or mobile phone footage. Another type involves independent news and information websites. Some sites are full-fledged participatory news sites. Examples include OhmyNews and DigitalJournal.com. There are also collaborative and contributory media sites. These include platforms like Slashdot and Newsvine. Other forms include thin media like email newsletters. Personal broadcasting sites allow for video broadcasts. Finally, open source news platforms like Wikinews exist. Each type offers a different way to engage with news.

Citizen journalism has a long and varied history. In the 1920s, Walter Lippman and John Dewey debated this role. They discussed how much the public should participate in news. Between 1915 and 1925, it appeared in St. Croix. There, it provided a platform for colonized communities. Local publications like The Herald helped express unheard voices. This allowed them to challenge dominant narratives. The modern movement emerged after journalists questioned their own coverage. They noticed the predictability of events like the 1988 U.S. election. This led to the civic journalism movement. It sought to rebuild trust in the news media.

Recent history shows the profound impact of these reporters. They often report breaking news faster than traditional media. Notable examples include the 2010 Haiti earthquake. They were active during the Arab Spring and the Syrian Civil War. Other examples include the 2013 protests in Turkey. They also reported on the Euromaidan events in Ukraine. The 2014 Ferguson unrest saw significant citizen reporting. This continued with the Black Lives Matter movement. Most recently, it played a role in the Russian Invasion of Ukraine. These events show how citizens can shape global awareness.

Despite its impact, the practice faces many criticisms. Professional journalists often claim it is unregulated. They argue that the quality and coverage can be haphazard. Critics say citizen journalists lack professional affiliation. This may result in fewer resources and less focus. Because it lacks a formal framework, it can be subjective. This makes it more supplemental than primary for public opinion. However, scholars view it through different theoretical lenses. Some see it as "journalism for citizens." Others see it as "journalism as citizenship." This second view suggests that the act of reporting constitutes citizenship itself. It allows for "liquid citizenship" through digital interaction.