Here is a link to help those individuals who want to know what citizen journalism is and how it can be utilized for the benefit of others.
http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2006/09/your-guide-to-citizen-journalism270.html
This website tries to define what exactly citizen journalists are and how one can be easily taught to use a camera, fact-check, and upload videos. A brief historical view of citizen journalsim is given to the reader and points to the fact that some most of the founding fathers of this nation were "citizen journalists" themselves. When we take a look at how technology has advanced with the addition of the Internet and digital cameras, we are beginning to see more and more individuals using this technology to tell the news.
The attacks of September 11th was seen worldwide through major news organizations but many citizens recorded and took pictures of their own account of the event. Years later, citizens were capturing breaking news around the world. Everthing from the London bombings, to the tsunami that struck Indonesia.
A list of "citizen journalism terminology" has been provided as well with arguements even over the phrase citizen journalism. Resources to other helpful sites are listed as well as an "About Us" section, polls, and even a place to leave comments about the article itself.
Hope this site helps anyone who wishes to do any sort of citizen journalism work or as a hobby.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Breakers Update! Part II
What is that I see and smell? To continue on the first Breakers Update created last week, Breakers Gameroom has kept it's promise in making popcorn during finals!
This picture was taken at 12:30am. Gameroom attendants are keeping late night study-goers happy and well fed for anyone with any nighttime cravings or in need of a pick me up. Also keep a look out for other goodies that the University Center will be providing for students such as candy buckets located in various spots and midnight meals (such as the hotdogs that appeared last night). Also coffee is provided to students at all hours!
Enjoy!
Scenes of a Study Center
Since it is now the end of the semester, the University Center's acclaimed Study Center has opened it's doors for students looking for a place to study and relax during finals season. With coffee in hand and midnight snacks provided, students are able to bring their homework and groups together at all hours of the day. Here are a couple of other scenes showing what some of these students are up to during the wee hours of the morning:
Above are students making themselves comfortable with guitar hero study breaks and even providing their own air mattresses for much needed rest.Below students Joycelyn and Seraph cozy up in the student activity offices to study the night away. Many students have been waiting all semester for the UC to be open like this and are taking advantage of the services the staff members have for us students. To all those still with finals after today...Good luck! And maybe we'll see you around the Study Center!
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
YouTube/YouNews: What's the Difference?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?=vKKhTYNGCKqw
The link above is to a Youtube video featuring a live performance by Christian rap artist TobyMac. I beleive this video is a great example that poses a challenge. Although the person who uploaded the video may have done it for fun, they are providing information and visuals that may be possible for a mainstream journalist. If so, then is YouTube is considered a news site to some degree? What about social networking sites that provide photo posting and video capabilities?
One example I can use to relate the effieciency of social networking and YouTube was last summer during the Bob Dylan Show at Whataburger Field. The Corpus Christi Caller-Times was prohibited by the concert officials to take pictures of Dylan in concert. While a media journalist may have restrictions may be limited on what they are allowed to publish, a citizen journalist has nearly free reign. Someone could simply post photos of Dylan performing on stage, post them on Youtube or a social networking site, and provide a perspective that mainstream media could not .
This link also challenges the grey areas that are sites like Youtube, Wikipedia and social networks. Although we are not officially reporting on a subject, if we post a video or photos from an event, is that not considered reporting to some degree? Citizen journalists provide a perspective on an event. The same goes for vlogging. If they provide some sort of information in their piece that other viewers might not know, would they be considered a journalist? After all, are journalists not just storytellers for a community? We gather collective intelligence from other mediums (Photos on Facebook -> Video on Youtube -> "My friend said...") to form an opinion about a situation. The ease of uploading photos and videos also allow low artisitic barriers to be used, as well past technologies that were once exclusive to mainstream media to be used by novices.
The link above is to a Youtube video featuring a live performance by Christian rap artist TobyMac. I beleive this video is a great example that poses a challenge. Although the person who uploaded the video may have done it for fun, they are providing information and visuals that may be possible for a mainstream journalist. If so, then is YouTube is considered a news site to some degree? What about social networking sites that provide photo posting and video capabilities?
One example I can use to relate the effieciency of social networking and YouTube was last summer during the Bob Dylan Show at Whataburger Field. The Corpus Christi Caller-Times was prohibited by the concert officials to take pictures of Dylan in concert. While a media journalist may have restrictions may be limited on what they are allowed to publish, a citizen journalist has nearly free reign. Someone could simply post photos of Dylan performing on stage, post them on Youtube or a social networking site, and provide a perspective that mainstream media could not .
This link also challenges the grey areas that are sites like Youtube, Wikipedia and social networks. Although we are not officially reporting on a subject, if we post a video or photos from an event, is that not considered reporting to some degree? Citizen journalists provide a perspective on an event. The same goes for vlogging. If they provide some sort of information in their piece that other viewers might not know, would they be considered a journalist? After all, are journalists not just storytellers for a community? We gather collective intelligence from other mediums (Photos on Facebook -> Video on Youtube -> "My friend said...") to form an opinion about a situation. The ease of uploading photos and videos also allow low artisitic barriers to be used, as well past technologies that were once exclusive to mainstream media to be used by novices.
Oil Rig Explosion Speculations... from a Citizen Journalist
http://www.helium.com/items/1822296-possible-north-korea-target-deepwater-horizon-oil-platform
The above link is a blog from Helium.com containing thoughts about the April 20 explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig off the Gulf Coast. Some media outlets have been investigating the matter, speculating that the rig was torpedoed by North Korea as an act of war. However, the Obama Administration has issued a news blackout for the U.S. media to prohibit the media from reporting or investigating further details about the situation.
Helium.com is a site where people can contribute what they know about a situation to help form a story or a perspective on a story. Like the process of any newswriting article, journalists take what they know from several different people and form a story from the information given.
While the Obama Administration is working to block any information from the mainstream media, citizen journalists can contribute what they know to help shape a potential story. For instance, the report said after the rig exploded, SWAT teams were dispatched to the scene, which may be a sign of violent activity.
Also, another note of interest is that the rig was built and financed by Hyundai, a South Korean manufacturer and a potential threat to North Korea.
As citizen journalists, this is an example of the collective intelligence we discussed in our presentation. We contribute what we believe or know to help shape the story in a way that an individual could not have done with limited information. We also participate in the participatory culture, because although the contributers have minimum experience, the low artistic barriers of Helium allows them to post what they know, potentially gain feedback, have a venue similar to a mainstream media outlet.
The above link is a blog from Helium.com containing thoughts about the April 20 explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig off the Gulf Coast. Some media outlets have been investigating the matter, speculating that the rig was torpedoed by North Korea as an act of war. However, the Obama Administration has issued a news blackout for the U.S. media to prohibit the media from reporting or investigating further details about the situation.
Helium.com is a site where people can contribute what they know about a situation to help form a story or a perspective on a story. Like the process of any newswriting article, journalists take what they know from several different people and form a story from the information given.
While the Obama Administration is working to block any information from the mainstream media, citizen journalists can contribute what they know to help shape a potential story. For instance, the report said after the rig exploded, SWAT teams were dispatched to the scene, which may be a sign of violent activity.
Also, another note of interest is that the rig was built and financed by Hyundai, a South Korean manufacturer and a potential threat to North Korea.
As citizen journalists, this is an example of the collective intelligence we discussed in our presentation. We contribute what we believe or know to help shape the story in a way that an individual could not have done with limited information. We also participate in the participatory culture, because although the contributers have minimum experience, the low artistic barriers of Helium allows them to post what they know, potentially gain feedback, have a venue similar to a mainstream media outlet.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Relay For Life 2010
Although Relay For Life 2010 did occur on April 17th it is still a big part of the end of the year. Relay For Life is known as the biggest event that is held here on our TAMUCC campus. In 2009 Relay raised over $25,000 dollars towards cancer research while this year with money still coming in, we've raised $40,000. It was a really big night with 50 teams that participated even though it rained for portions of the night. Here's a video clip of the first lap showing cancer survivors and other participants as they started out the night. Even though the numbers dwindled because of the weather, we still had people from 6pm on the night of the 17th who stayed till 6am the following day! There were prizes awarded to top fundraisers, top teams, and those who showed spirit toward the American Cancer Society's motto of "Celebrate, Remember, Fight Back". For more information on the event as well as the numbers that the different teams ended up achieving please feel free to visit www.relayforlife.org/tamucctx
Hope to see everyone come out next year!!
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Plane Crash In New York's Hudson River
This video is taken from a live broadcast of NBC News during the incident in New York when flight 1549 crashed in the Hudson. The news anchor is asking an eyewitness to describe what he saw and his reaction to the accident. Because a news crew was not able to record what happended, a witness was able to give the news organization an insight to what occured.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Welcome to our blog!
The purpose of this blog is for us to be able to show off citizen journalism! Many newspapers and television news stations are now making it so that their viewers become the reporters, allowing them to show off things in their surroundings that are important to them. We encourage you to add whatever you feel is important to you in your surrounding community of TAMUCC and beyond!
This is also a place where we are going to discuss a little bit more about citizen journalism and other websites that have their audience participate in news making, whether it is serious news or no so serious news.
Enjoy!
~Josh, Rob, and Amy
The purpose of this blog is for us to be able to show off citizen journalism! Many newspapers and television news stations are now making it so that their viewers become the reporters, allowing them to show off things in their surroundings that are important to them. We encourage you to add whatever you feel is important to you in your surrounding community of TAMUCC and beyond!
This is also a place where we are going to discuss a little bit more about citizen journalism and other websites that have their audience participate in news making, whether it is serious news or no so serious news.
Enjoy!
~Josh, Rob, and Amy
A Timeline of New Media
http://www.poynter.org/content/content_view.asp?id=75953&sid=26
The link above features a timeline between mainstream media, the shift to new media, and how it begins to become more user-friendly, beginning from 1969. Some of the most recent examples of citizen journalism include:
In 2003, BBC asked its audience to send in photos of the Iraq conflict. The outlet received hundreds of photos.
In 2002, More than 1,300 North American daily newspapers have launched online services. Worldwide, there are now more than 5,000 daily, weekly and other newspapers online.
Around mid-2003, 150 million people in the United States went online (Two-thirds of whom used online media to recive news).
In 2009, a study from from Middleberg Communications and the Society for New Communications Research (SNCR) 70 percent of journalists said they use social networks to assist in reporting (compared to 41 percent last year). In the same survey, 69 percent of respondents use company websites to assist in their reporting, 66 percent use blogs, 51 percent use Wikipedia, 48 percent go to online videos, and 47 percent use Twitter and other microblogging services.
Sooooo..... With the rapidly spreading popularity (and capabilities) of new media, social networking sites and user-generated information sites (ex: Wikipedia), are we opening new venues for citizen journalists to tell their story? If so, how does the mainstream media compete (or coexist) with these new expansions?
The link above features a timeline between mainstream media, the shift to new media, and how it begins to become more user-friendly, beginning from 1969. Some of the most recent examples of citizen journalism include:
In 2003, BBC asked its audience to send in photos of the Iraq conflict. The outlet received hundreds of photos.
In 2008, the first report of NBC News journalist Tim Russert’s death was posted on Wikipedia rather than by the NBC network, which had held the story until Russert’s family had been contacted.
In June 2009 the "Neda" YouTube video of a young woman protester dying on the streets of Tehran spreads among social networks and traditional news organizations. User-generated crisis reporting becomes more common, and with it, more challenges for traditional media outlets on how to present it.
It is also around the early 2000s we see the shift to online media:
In 2002, More than 1,300 North American daily newspapers have launched online services. Worldwide, there are now more than 5,000 daily, weekly and other newspapers online.
Around mid-2003, 150 million people in the United States went online (Two-thirds of whom used online media to recive news).
In 2009, a study from from Middleberg Communications and the Society for New Communications Research (SNCR) 70 percent of journalists said they use social networks to assist in reporting (compared to 41 percent last year). In the same survey, 69 percent of respondents use company websites to assist in their reporting, 66 percent use blogs, 51 percent use Wikipedia, 48 percent go to online videos, and 47 percent use Twitter and other microblogging services.
Sooooo..... With the rapidly spreading popularity (and capabilities) of new media, social networking sites and user-generated information sites (ex: Wikipedia), are we opening new venues for citizen journalists to tell their story? If so, how does the mainstream media compete (or coexist) with these new expansions?
SafetySuit Opening Act Kicked Off Stage
During the Campus Activities Board (CAB) concert April 21, Charles Colley, lead singer of the local band Shrimp Scampi and Heavenly Blues, was escorted off the stage by university police. This left concertgoers with an additional 45-minute intermission before SafetySuit took the stage. I took these photos of Colley being escorted off the stage by police.
According to the police report on the TAMUCC Web site, Colley was issued a citation (not arrested, as it appeared) with a liquor law violation.
This citation poses many questions to why Colley was escorted off stage. If he was kicked off for his vocal obscenities, then where does the liquor law violation come in? Were Colley's 1st Amendment rights violated? Who gave police authority to escort him off the stage?
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Tips on Citizen Journalism
This video is really helpful when anyone wants to go out and record news as it happens live in front of you. The video is taken from the Reporters' Center channel from YouTube. The link is under "News Links" on the blog page.
CNN iReport: Aftermath of Earthquake in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti
With citizen journalism, this video is a great example of why many news media organizations turn to the public to bring unspotted stories. The devestation in Haiti after the powerful earthquake left communication outside the country almost impossible. Major news networks such as CNN turned to the public in Haiti to provide any sort of breaking news, descriptions of damage, any aftershocks, the condition of the other victims of the earthquake, and much more detail until electricity was restored.
Cell phones, video camcorders, digital cameras, and a whole assortment of other new technological advances have helped in showing different perspectives of major news events. Not every news organization is able to cover a story from all angles but this is where the public can help in providing additional footage of different perspectives.
Breakers Update!
There is an odd stillness in Breaker's Game room on campus. The cause of all this is the silence coming from the popcorn machine which is usually hot and poppin throughout the day providing free popcorn to all. It was to my amazement that my occasional afternoon snack would not be available till finals. Due to the Study Center, where the UC is open 24 hours for all night studying, staff members have decided to save up on popcorn supply in order to have plenty for late night study breaks.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)