Week 11 - The big difference between citizen and traditional journalism

“Citizen Journalism reverses the sender-receiver process of traditional journalism – with the traditional journalist becoming the shepherd rather than the gatekeeper” (Bentley et al). The power of the internet allows authors to publish virtually anything with little challenge to credibility, fact checking and even the truth.

QUT journalists spend a semester learning about the Media Alliance Code of Ethics and how this can be applied in the work place. It is not a set of rules but rather a set of values and guidelines to assist in decision making. If citizen journalism was to replace the need for traditional journalists, this code would be completely null and void.

There would theoretically be no striving for accuracy, honesty, independence or fairness. Authors could use racism, sexism, advertising or personal gain and claim it as ‘news’. There are no limits to obtaining information or publishing altered photos or audio.

We could steal off each other, capitalise on grief and forget about correcting any errors. As for the truth, don’t let that get in the way of a good story.

This code of ethics makes traditional journalists different from anyone else with an internet connection and Microsoft Word. Yes citizen journalism has a role in new media, but it should never replace the old ways.

Thanks for reading this semester,
Andrew

References
Bentley, C., Hamman, B., Littau, J., Meyer, H., Watson, B. and Welsh, B. (2007). Citizen Journalism: a Case Study. In Blogging, Citizenship, and the Future of Media, Tremayne, Mark (ed.). New York: Taylor & Francis: 239-259. Available online at http://www.qut.eblib.com.au.ezp01.library.qut.edu.au/patron/FullRecord.aspx?p=283669&userid=TXP2wzInO6A92W%2fz0nb9Rg%3d%3d&tstamp=1273647378&id=855260F204221B6F67F4EE3EAF0C2841CEE70688 (Accessed May 12, 2010).

Media Alliance Code of Ethics. (2010). ABC Media Watch website. Available online at http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/0726_ma.pdf (Accessed May 13, 2010).

Week 10 - Internet privacy essay the culmination of semester’s work

With no theory to discuss this week I took the opportunity to look over the past 10 weeks. Privacy is something we have looked at every week in new media.

My first blog entry involved characters and avatars. This is the epitome of privacy because essentially, it is fantasy. Characters and avatars are made up and for that reason can be kept private. My next entry was titled “If it’s on the internet it’s got to be true”. The essence of this blog was nothing on the internet can be private.

Concepts like the ‘Glass Bedroom’ and performances also dealt with privacy. The point I made that week was “on the internet, everyone is watching”. I used Stephanie Rice as an example and I will build on this in the essay.

User Generated Content (UGC) and information on new media health and well-being also relate to privacy. UGC means waiving any rights to privacy while the very concept of privacy can be motivation for health and well-being searches.

Privacy has been an underlying issue throughout the semester. It is a clear side-effect of the new media age we live in. Because of this, no one can expect privacy on the internet.

I will explain why with my essay in a few weeks.

Cheers,
Andrew