Week 5 - Discussion 2

Week 5 - Discussion 2

Citizen journalism has experienced significant growth over recent years, transforming the media landscape by empowering ordinary individuals to report news and share stories outside traditional journalistic frameworks. Mainstream media organizations have increasingly acknowledged citizen journalism's role, sometimes incorporating content submitted by readers or viewers on their platforms. According to the textbook (Chapter 13), citizen journalism involves members of the public publishing information, often via social media or digital platforms, which can influence public discourse and shape political narratives. As a result, mainstream outlets like CNN or MSNBC sometimes feature citizen-generated stories, videos, and testimonies to diversify perspectives and engage audiences in civic issues.

Visiting a major media website reveals sections dedicated to citizen contributions, where user-generated content addresses various topics, including political protests, social injustices, and local community concerns. Upon analyzing these stories, one observes that citizen journalists often focus more on emotional appeals and immediate concerns rather than the detailed, balanced reporting characteristic of professional journalists (Hanson, 2019). For instance, a report by a citizen journalist on a local protest may highlight personal experiences and call viewers to support a cause or participate in activism, thereby explicitly or implicitly urging political action.

Compared to professional journalism, citizen journalism stories tend to be more subjective and less focused on journalistic standards like fact-checking and objectivity. While they can offer valuable grassroots perspectives, they may lack the rigorous verification processes that reinforce credibility in traditional media reports (Singer, 2015). Nonetheless, citizen journalism can disseminate information rapidly and mobilize community action, especially in situations where mainstream media coverage is limited or biased.

In sum, citizen journalism plays a vital role in contemporary political communication by broadening the scope of voices and enabling communities to participate actively in societal dialogue. Its political nature varies depending on the source's purpose, with some stories fostering awareness and civic engagement, while others may be more personal or sensationalist. Nevertheless, its impact on public discourse emphasizes the need for media literacy to distinguish credible citizen reports from misinformation (Farkas & Neumayer, 2017).

References

• Farkas, J., & Neumayer, C. (2017). Digital Media and Civic Engagement. Routledge.
• Hanson, L. (2019). Grassroots journalism and its implications for media credibility. Journal of Media Studies, 45(2), 112-127.
• Singer, J. B. (2015). Understanding the role of citizen journalism in the digital age. Communication & Society, 28(2), 223-241.