Thoughts on the Future of Citizen Media #gv2010
by Muhammad on May 19, 2010
in Citizen Media, Social Media
The more I think about it, the more I see the future as being driven by citizen journalists, the news of on-the-ground local citizens taking precedent over the ‘professional’ journalism which has been the vanguard of all news since the dawn of the media age.
The structure of technology has changed, become more social and more “share-able” and this has made the dissemination of media far easier and quicker than any major news organisation could ever hope to accomplish with correspondents and all the logistics which go with it.
I’m sure journalists will have their place but I think their role will be much eroded in the coming age. I have no doubt of that, in fact it has already begun where bloggers and citizen news sources are becoming the norm in terms of reporting and gaining media footage. Professional journalists using citizen media for their news stories simply because there is no other footage or access to material covering that particular bit of news.
The only flaw in the plan lies in the question of ‘Access’. Not everyone can afford the modern miracle of simple communication technologies, let alone having any training of using a computer much less using and gaining access to the internet. There are MANY endeavours to close this gap but we are still a long way away from it being anywhere near acceptable levels.
Then there’s the question of priorities. Yes, the news should be reported and people on the ground should have all the resources available to them to make them a part of our global community. But, most of these people are having trouble getting basics like food, water and shelter. Here’s where correspondents will serve a greater purpose of reporting the situation in those areas.
This does, however, open up a bigger opportunity for charity organisations and NGO’s to begin fully utilising Digital Media in order to not only help the people on the ground but to spread information and knowledge world-wide. The platforms are there.
Citizen Media may be the home of the amateur writer, photographer, cameraman but information is information… and a badly taken photograph or video is much better than none at all. People are everywhere, news organisations are not. This us why citizen Media is the future and will most likely make up at least 80% of content from news organisations in the future.
I say this from the current context of cost-cutting by these news organisations (and many corporations in general) as well the rise in citizen journalists who do not ask for anything in reward, only satisfying the impulse to share and have their voices heard.
I sort of disagree. I think it will just mean a lot of white noise.
Yes there will be much more freedom for anyone to write or produce something and also for organisation to get there message out, but at the same time it will be easier for a user to block that content or to filter it out.
For example if there is a website that is made of lots of stories and media from normal citizens – if I never go on it. I will never see it
Also what traditional journalism has over ‘citizen journalism’ is proven quality. That’s why I log onto the Guardian every day…. how is a ‘amateurs’ website going to provide consistent quality?
If we assume that a citizen journalist is someone for whom it’s not a dayjob.. I would then assume that any decent talent out there will be quickly hoovered up by the mainstream and then become a part of the establishment.
to be honest I think a lot of this stuff is just a fad.Edit12:40
I agree with that point in the context of general social media. But let me clarify citizen media… I mean it in the context specifically of an organisation like Global Voices, who sift through the chaff to get the real stories on the ground and present a zeitgeist picture.
General news agencies, etc. Will also practice the same journalistic integrity when looking for content in the social media arena.
The people who do speak sense stand out anyway. I believe it will become easier especially since the entire environment of social media promotes those who are more relevant i.e. More links, more readers, etc.