The public in journalism

Welcome to my blog for CMNS3420. This week follows my thoughts on the readings and the concepts of public journalism and citizen journalists.


The role of citizen journalism is duplicitous within journalism, as it raises the question of whether it will help make professional journalism, or break it. James Farmer from The Age has taken a stance against citizen journalism, as explored in his blog "Citizen Journalism Sucks". He notes that "journalism is a profession and journalism provides for the quality and breadth of content that keeps an enormous number of readers coming back for more. Sites that are based around 'citizzen reporting' are unlikely to ever have appeal outside of the uber niche areas. Citizen experts? Yes, and we have publications to cater to them. But, citizen journalists? No."

 While he says it is an 'impossible dream' that should be shaken off as soon as possible, since publishing this post in 2006, citizen journalism has continued to grow. Along with technologies ever changing landcsape, citizen journalism has been able to use these advancements in order to further control their messages and reach audiences in a wider variety of ways.

Personally, as someone who is studying PR I have become slightly cynical about much of the news I receive due to the knowledge that much of this is carefully crafted by a PR person. Yet even with this viewpoint I still hold in high regard professional journalism as a valuable and reliable news source. While citizen journalism is on the rise, I would not turn to it for my news, I more see it as an activity that allows citizens to become more involved in the news they receive, to allow for other voices to be heard, and also in some cases it will inform professional journalists. It will continue to rise, but will not overtake. 

The concept public journalism seems to be valuable, especially when accompanied with the growing technology and availability of resources for citizen journalists to be utilising. This way, public journalism shows that everything does not have to be kept separate, that publics need not rely on citizen  journalists to ensure that their needs are met or their voices are heard, it shows that the two are able to coexist as well as professional journalists are able to meet their needs. This concept is one that becomes particularly relevant when audiences may realise that what they are being fed by some news channels may not be in their best interests, is rather set to serve those behind the scenes. Public journalism offers the chance to eliminate some of the alienation that some of the publics may feel when it comes to the news they are presented.

The concept of citizen journalism and incorporating this into what would be considered traditional journalism,  highlights the complexities within news that may not initially be realised by a person who simply consumes what is presented by mainstream media without questioning it. It also highlights the ways in which the media is adapting to increasing technology and the way their audiences use it.