Growing Trend of Citizens Reporting the News
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| image from chatGPT |
by John Fisher, PhD
Citizen reporters, also known as citizen journalists, have become a powerful force in coverage of the news. Equipped with smartphones, social media accounts, and personal blogs, these everyday individuals now play a vital role in gathering, reporting, analyzing, and sharing news. Though not formally trained as professional journalists, their contributions have reshaped the way we consume information. Here’s a closer look at the key roles citizen journalists play in today’s news ecosystem, along with examples of their impact.
Individual Reporting
Citizen reporters often act independently, creating and sharing their own stories without the need for established news organizations. Using platforms like Twitter, Facebook, or personal blogs, they offer opinions and firsthand accounts of events happening in their communities or even across the globe. This direct form of reporting allows for unfiltered perspectives, often offering fresh angles that traditional news outlets may overlook.
For example, during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests in the U.S., many citizen journalists used Twitter and Instagram to post live updates, photos, and videos from the ground, providing real-time coverage that major news organizations could not immediately capture. This gave people around the world instant access to eyewitness accounts, making these citizen reporters crucial in shaping the narrative.
Collaboration With News Organizations
While many citizen journalists work independently, some collaborate with professional news organizations. They may offer news tips, eyewitness accounts, or even live reports through platforms like Periscope or Instagram Live. In some cases, citizen reporters will add value to an existing news story by offering context or commentary, while others may serve as local correspondents for events where professional journalists are not present.
During the Syrian civil war, for instance, many citizen reporters shared firsthand footage and information from war-torn areas that were inaccessible to international journalists. Major news outlets like BBC and CNN often sourced this content, verifying its authenticity and including it in their coverage, thereby enhancing their reporting of the conflict.
Crowdsourcing News
Citizen journalism often thrives through crowdsourcing, where news stories are built from contributions by multiple individuals. In these cases, journalists collect videos, photos, and reports from numerous citizen reporters, fact-check the material, and then publish it as part of a larger story. This method helps ensure that diverse perspectives are represented, especially in situations where professional journalists cannot be present everywhere at once.
A prime example of this is how news outlets covered the 2015 Nepal earthquake. Thousands of social media posts, photos, and videos from people on the ground helped shape the global understanding of the disaster’s magnitude and the immediate needs of those affected. Major outlets like The Guardian and Al Jazeera used these contributions to provide a more comprehensive view of the unfolding crisis.
How Professional Journalists Use Citizen Reporters
Eyewitness Accounts: One of the most valuable aspects of citizen journalism is the ability to provide real-time, eyewitness accounts of events. Whether it’s a local protest, a natural disaster, or an unexpected political event, citizen reporters often offer raw, immediate coverage, allowing for a more dynamic view of current events. This was notably evident during the 2019 Hong Kong protests, where citizen journalists played a crucial role in documenting police actions, protest movements, and public sentiment, often livestreaming from the streets.
Filling Information Gaps: Citizen journalists can help fill gaps in traditional news coverage by offering localized insights or additional details that professional reporters may not have. For instance, during the 2018 California wildfires, local citizens posted on social media about road closures, missing persons, and evacuation routes, providing critical information that helped communities stay informed before news crews arrived.
Collaborative Reporting: Many news organizations have recognized the value of collaborative reporting with citizen journalists. Some outlets invite public participation by allowing readers to comment on stories, while others create databases of citizen reporters who can contribute to future news stories. This interaction between professional journalists and the public creates a richer, more inclusive news environment.
For example, The New York Times has often encouraged readers to submit their stories and photos during major weather events like hurricanes or snowstorms. These contributions offer broader geographic coverage and provide more personal accounts, making the overall reporting more comprehensive and relatable.
Challenges and Credibility Concerns
Despite the many advantages of citizen journalism, it does face criticism—especially regarding credibility and objectivity. Without formal training, some citizen journalists may lack the skills required to fact-check information or remain unbiased in their reporting. Additionally, in the rush to share breaking news, there is the risk of spreading misinformation.
A notable instance of this occurred during the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013. In the immediate aftermath, social media was flooded with reports, some of which falsely identified suspects. While professional journalists worked to verify facts, the misinformation spread by some citizen reporters added confusion to an already chaotic situation.
While these credibility concerns are valid, it’s important to note that citizen journalists often provide critical, on-the-ground perspectives that professional journalists cannot. The key to harnessing the potential of citizen journalism is ensuring that their contributions are fact-checked and integrated responsibly into larger news narratives.
Conclusion
Citizen reporters have reshaped the modern news coverage, offering invaluable contributions through independent reporting, collaboration with news organizations, and crowdsourcing. Whether by filling information gaps or providing real-time eyewitness accounts, they offer fresh perspectives that enrich the news we consume. However, as the lines between professional and citizen journalism continue to blur, it’s crucial to maintain a balance between speed and accuracy, ensuring that all contributions to the news landscape are credible and trustworthy. While not without challenges, citizen journalism’s influence will undoubtedly continue to grow, providing a more inclusive, real-time view of the world.
Source: Conversation with Copilot, 9/20/2024
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