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!!
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