Part 2 - Technology & Communication: Adapt and Train. Journalists You Will Be Fine.

Are We All Journalists? 

Over the centuries, human beings have mastered the ability to not only augment the natural ways in which we communicate with each other, but also to create technological advancements that enrich and enhance man’s primal nature to communicate. In fact, according to Tim Pool (2015) "we are all journalist, we are all eyewitnesses" ... "we are citizen journalists."  In recent years, since the inception of social media, media outlets have been employing "citizen journalism" as a medium in the news gathering process. 

What is Citizen Journalism? 

Research reveals that 'citizen journalism' is the act of "a citizen or a group

of citizens who play an active role in the process of collecting, transmitting, analyzing and disseminating information" (Gustavo Adolfo León Duarte and Alonso Castillo Rivera, 2017).  This act of journalism, otherwise classified as a form of crowd sourcing, can be deemed both helpful and harmful to modern day journalism. It can be helpful in regards to offering diverse perspectives on stories permeating the media at any given time. It provide experts in selective fields and industries the opportunities to have their voices heard and views shared across on all accessible new media platforms. Trained journalists  who have handles on the major social media platforms can employ the comments/call to order options to access audiences who have valuable, well needed information to enhance a story or lead. Research, however suggest one important training that journalists need is being able to connect with citizen journalists. It is imperative that they establish their credibility and reputation when they highlight sources that have truthful, valid and factual information to share.  Journalists must also know how to curate, aggregate and attribute content effectively and efficiently.    

References

Bailey, J. (2015, January 8). A Brief Guide to Ethical Aggregation. Retrieved January 18, 2018, from https://www.plagiarismtoday.com/2015/01/08/a-brief-guide-to-ethical-aggregation/  

LEÓN-DUARTE, Gustavo & Rivera, Alonso. (2017). Between a rock and a hard place. Citizen journalism and journalistic ethics in Mexico. p.21-42, DOI: 10.1590/1809-5844201722.

TEDx Talks. (2011, May 14). Citizen journalism | Paul Lewis | TEDxThessaloniki. [YouTube]. Retrieved June 01, 2018, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9APO9_yNbcg

Test Tube Network. (2015, September 05). How The 21st Century Changed Journalism. [YouTube]. Retrieved June 01, 2018, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmFlKKOKenw