#11 Citizen Journalism in the Digital Era

Olivia's presentation showed me how powerful everyday people are in shaping the media. Citizen journalism has evolved from a simple form of communication to a major tool in modern news reporting, amplified by social media and other digital tools. It was interesting to learn how accessible this process has become, bringing information to the public before major news outlets even have a chance to respond.

One of the key points that stuck out to me is how citizen journalism has been crucial in covering major historical events. For example, Olivia's example of the footage of John F. Kennedy's assassination, which was recorded by a citizen long before any news arrived. This example highlights how ordinary people are often on the front line of major events, helping fill in gaps left by the mainstream media. 

As explained in the presentation, the rise of the internet brought even more opportunities for citizen journalists. I was intrigued by personal blogs in the 90s, where people could share their perspectives, bypassing mainstream media. Even now, similar practices continue, but on larger scales, like YouTube and Twitter offering real-time updates from all over the world. 

Citizen journalism has a lot of value to it. For example, Hurricane Katrina, when news outlets couldn't access affected areas, bloggers and photographers who were there were able to provide real-time updates. This immediate coverage shows the benefits of citizen journalism and how fast it can deliver information that is more raw than traditional media. 

However, citizen journalism can also create issues of factual accuracy and ethics. Although the accessibility is great, the lack of rigorous fact-checking can lead to the spread of misinformation. This makes me wonder: how do we make sure everyone can share news while still ensuring that the information is accurate? Traditional media continues to try and include fact-checking, but as citizen journalism grows, this will continue to be an important challenge.

Despite these issues, I believe the benefits of citizen journalism outweigh the negatives. The diverse voices it brings to the table are invaluable and can highlight more local issues that bigger news companies might overlook. This connects to my project about the Spiral of Silence theory, which suggests that people are less likely to express their views if they feel they're in the minority opinion. Citizen journalism helps break this cycle by offering a platform for underrepresented voices, especially on social media, where the tech-savvy Generation Z can thrive. Using peers' posts or online groups, people can feel empowered to express their opinions without the fear of isolation, especially knowing they're contributing to a bigger conversation. 

Overall, Olivia does a great job explaining the pros and cons of citizen journalism. Its role in modern media is essential to bringing unique perspectives, especially from underrepresented groups. As technology and social media continue to grow, citizen journalism's importance will grow with it. Despite the accuracy concerns, I believe empowering citizens to share their experiences and knowledge is crucial for our society.