Journalism can simply refer to the process of
collecting and editing news information for presentation to an anonymous
audience through the media and the people who do these are referred to as journalists.
Citizen journalists are private individuals who use diverse press tools to
inform others about different issues or events and could take the form of
texts,audio,videos e.t.c. just as professional reporters do.
However in recent technological advancement world we
live in today has paved way for anyone to own any form of media and this is
coupled with recent democratic right freedoms to allow for people at all levels
to speak their mind concerning different issues as well as disseminate
anonymous information across the globe leading to questions about whether this
is a threat to professional reporters or not, since it doesn’t require degrees
or special training.
Its no hidden fact that both approaches to reporting
or disseminating of information coexist although minute but factual differences
appear in their works. Citizen journalists are part of the community hence
report whatever they witness or deem relevant but their lack of organisational
support restricts them from acquiring
the story behind the story itself.
professionals however freely dip in and fish out the
truth since they have their media houses press cards which allows them to
uncover more facts through interview granting and investigations.
Again the
edited works of professionals allow for their stories to be appealing and
attract more audience because of their value of content. Citizen journalists may use blogs to report on certain events but professionals
have the merit to public records and meetings or congresses ,hence adding
substance to the news item and their standards in media law enable them to have
a special way of approaching news sources. They get tips on smart interview
techniques and learn more about writing and reporting stories that connect more
effectively with your audience.
Because of all the short comings of citizen
journalists, i believe that, they do not serve as a threat to professional
journalists.
