“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).
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