While reading, I was struck by the concepts of "we media" and "citizen journalism". Having lived in St. Louis, I have followed the events in Ferguson fairly closely. Potentially emotionally-charged events tend to result in confusion, at least immediately after the fact. So many conflicting reports from so many there can exacerbate those feelings of confusion or disbelief. The differences between accounts of those actually there in Ferguson were striking. Given the amount of conflicting information, it was difficult for the public to judge which was accurate.
In this rise of citizen journalism, how can the general public sift through all of the various accounts available to determine what is factual and accurate? Do they accept reports from professional journalists who may not be at the scene over accounts of those observing the event firsthand? Which is true? Or, is the "real story" some combination of the accounts out there available via social media, television news sources, and print news? Will the rise of citizen journalism result in the public perceiving that journalists are less credible than before? And if so, how can we combat that?
Honestly, I’m still stuck on the answer to most of these questions.
Lauren, I couldn't agree more with the point you made and questions you asked in your second paragraph. The rise of citizen journalism seems to be making the job of an actual journalist not only harder, but more obscure. Also mentioned in the reading was the lack of people that trust journalists, and I believe that the rise of citizen journalism will not help gain the public's trust any more. Less credible people writing news stories can lead to the public pointing the finger at actual journalists, whether they were the ones to write the story or not.
ReplyDeleteDoes everyone who posts a cellphone video claim to be a journalist? Or does social media use mainly generate data points -- confusing in the moment but available for analysis?
ReplyDeleteAnd when people say they mistrust journalists, who are they referring to? I mistrust many opinionators on Fox and MSNBC, to cite two well-known outlets. And I mistrust a lot of folks who post comments on Athens Banner Herald stories. But I don't categorize them as "journalists."
These are great questions, Lauren. I think we had a similar takeaway from the reading - who is right, and how do you know? Why are there so many interpretations of the same event, and who is the "journalist" when the smoke clears?
ReplyDeleteI think Sydney makes a great point when she touches on the subject that people writing stories might get other journalists blamed based on association. "I heard it on the news," is very vague now, and what constitutes the news has become open to interpretation.
I always hold a positive altitude when facing what called citizen journalism. In my opinion, when something big happen, people will always choose to watch and believe famous or authoritative media instead of citizen journalists. But there is no doubt that citizen journalists do have their advantages.
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