Citizen Journalism: Historical Roots and Contemporary Challenges Wally Hughes Western Kentucky University, [email protected]
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Western Kentucky University TopSCHOLAR® Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Honors College at WKU Projects Spring 5-10-2011 Citizen Journalism: Historical Roots and Contemporary Challenges Wally Hughes Western Kentucky University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.wku.edu/stu_hon_theses Part of the Arts and Humanities Commons Recommended Citation Hughes, Wally, "Citizen Journalism: Historical Roots and Contemporary Challenges" (2011). Honors College Capstone Experience/ Thesis Projects. Paper 305. http://digitalcommons.wku.edu/stu_hon_theses/305 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by TopSCHOLAR®. It has been accepted for inclusion in Honors College Capstone Experience/ Thesis Projects by an authorized administrator of TopSCHOLAR®. For more information, please contact [email protected]. CITIZEN JOURNALISM: HISTORICAL ROOTS AND CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES A Capstone Experience/Thesis Project Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Bachelor of Arts with Honors College Graduate Distinction at Western Kentucky University By Wally Hughes ***** Western Kentucky University 2010 CE/T Committee: Approved by Professor Mac Mckerral, Adviser Dr. Jeffrey Kash Mac Mckerral Dr. Angela Jones School of Journalism Copyright by Wally Hughes 2010 ABSTRACT The purpose of this thesis is to analyze what effect, if any, citizen journalism is having on journalism and ethics in today’s society. It starts by examining the role citizen journalism played in the early American colonies to show that the concept of citizen journalism is not new but has played a vital role throughout American history. Next, the focus shifts to the events and reasons that led to the re-emergence of citizen journalism during the past few decades, such as media consolidation and new technology. The thesis then highlights a few of the major issues that surround citizen journalism today, notably with regards to the federal shield law debate. From these evaluations, the conclusion will argue what kind of overall effect citizen journalism has on the journalism field and its ethical signature, as well as whether citizen journalism and traditional media can co-exist and complement each another. Keywords: Citizen, Journalism, Citizen Journalism, Journalism History, Ethics, Shield Law ii Dedicated to my family and friends. Thanks for the support and encouragement. iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This thesis would not have been possible if it was not for the help, support, and knowledge of many people. First, I would like to thank Mac Mckerral, my CE/T adviser, for his support on this project. His advice, critique, and intellect throughout this process was greatly appreciated and a wonderful help. I would also like to thank the other members of my committee, Dr. Jeffrey Kash and Dr. Angela Jones, for their insight and assistance as well. It was these people that helped me produce a finished product. In addition, I would like thank my family and friends for their support and encouragement. When I lacked inspiration, they kept me focused on working toward the finished project by offering the right words to motivate me. I would like to specifically thank the special girl in my life, Tasha Stephens, for enduring through this project with me with love and support. Also, much thanks to my roommate, B.J. Hardy, for offering his insight and assistance, and enduring with me as well. I am blessed to have had such an amazing support system throughout this entire process. Finally, I would like to thank the Honors College for providing me the help needed to take on such a major project. Throughout my four years on the Hill, the Honors College has never been anything less than outstanding. I would like to thank the faculty and staff for all that they do and for this opportunity to present my research. iv VITA Nov. 14, 1988……..……………………………..........Born - Somerset, Ky. 2007.……………………………..................................Southwestern High School, Somerset, Ky. 2011…………………………………………………...Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, Ky. Oct. 15-16, 2010...…………………………………….Presenter, Kentucky Honors Roundtable, Western Kentucky University Feb. 10, 2011………………………………………….Presenter, Posters @ the Capitol, Frankfort, Ky. FIELDS OF STUDY Major Field: News/Editorial Journalism Minor Field: Political Science v TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Abstract…………………………………………………………………ii Dedication……………………………………………………………...iii Acknowledgments……………………………………………………...iv Vita……………………………………………………………………...v Chapters: 1. Introduction………………………………………………………1 2. Historical Roots…………………………………………………..6 3. Contemporary Citizen Journalism…………………………….....19 4. Shield Laws: Who is a Journalist?.................................................34 5. Citizen Journalism Concerns………………………………….....45 6. Conclusion…………………………………………………….....58 Works Cited……………………………………………………………...61 vi CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION On April 16, 2007, amidst a school shooting on the campus of Virginia Tech University, graduate student Jamal Albarghouti decided to take reporting the news into his own hands. As police officers ordered him to get on the ground and take cover, Albarghouti took out his cell phone and took an approximately minute-long video that captured the sounds of the gunshots. He sent the video to CNN, which used it in coverage of the event (“Student shot video”). Albarghouti recorded the video from approximately 200 feet away from the gunshots and offered arguably the best coverage of the events that unfolded that day. Albarghouti’s actions offer a perfect example of a concept called “citizen journalism,” which occurs when untrained people take on the responsibility of reporting the news. In their book, Online Newsgathering: Research and Reporting for Journalism, Stephen Quinn and Stephen Lamble provide a more formal definition. According to Quinn and Lamble, citizen journalism occurs in two forms. “The first is when members of the public, who are not professional journalists, contribute content that is published on traditional media” (43). Albarghouti’s video would be an example of this form of citizen journalism. “The second form of citizen journalism occurs when members of the public 1 produce blogs or community websites or publications for a specific purpose. In other words, citizens assume the role of journalists” (Quinn and Lamble 44). WHY STUDY CITIZEN JOURNALISM? Citizen journalism’s recent popularity has been sparked by new technology media that has led to increased accessibility to information for the general public. Unlike traditional journalism, citizen journalism is not necessarily performed by individuals with educational or professional training in the field; rather it is often done by “citizens” who have no connection to traditional or new media. Because of this disassociation from the institutional media, citizen journalism appeals to many because of a common belief that traditional media are biased, out of touch, ignore important issues or offer irrelevant news. Consumers of citizen journalism often see it as less inherently biased and more in touch with important, timely issues. But while citizen journalism appears to be a shining example of America’s entrepreneurial spirit and fosters freedom of speech, it does pose some potential problems. Anyone can be a citizen journalist, and the Internet offers unlimited opportunities for anyone to upload content (such as blogs, videos, etc.) for public consumption. Because of the ease in creating and distributing content on the Web, it is impossible to ensure that all of it is true and or genuine. Therefore, ethical standards and credibility of citizen journalism can come into question. As evidenced by more and more traditional news outlets downsizing or ceasing publication, people now look for alternative sources for news. Social media such as Facebook and Twitter allow the news to find people instead of people finding the news. 2 Amidst its growing popularity, citizen journalism raises many ethical issues and concerns. What if the news from these sources is not accurate or authentic and driven by the wrong motives? Are the writers objective? Are they fair in their reporting? What negative effects is citizen journalism having on the broader practice of journalism? The bottom line is that consumers should always be skeptical of the news journalism produces, especially citizen journalism, particularly with regard to accuracy, fairness and authenticity. OVERVIEW This thesis examines citizen journalism and the effect it is having on contemporary journalism ethics. But before even beginning a discussion about contemporary citizen journalism and its effects, one should first examine it in a historical context. The idea of citizens reporting the news is not new. Actually, it existed well before “professional” journalists came about. In order to focus this thesis and provide some context as to how citizen journalism affected America’s view of the press, the “Historical Roots” section will examine the birth of the movement in the colonial press. Early American journalists were not professionals; they were untrained news gatherers who shared news with their communities. Their works laid the foundation for the American press and efforts to keep it free of government. It was not until 1908 until the first sanctioned journalism school opened at the University of Missouri. The impact this institution had on the standards embraced by professional journalists is significant, which is why it is discussed at the end of the first section