Adam Stone on Citizen Journalism |
This is an OurBlook interview with Adam Stone, publisher of the Examiner community newspapers in Putnam and Westchester counties, N.Y.
 Some experts argue that citizen journalism could help local newspapers survive. Do you agree or disagree?
AS: My belief is that newspapers, in their traditional form, can still be enormously popular. And if newspaper publishers largely reject the Web, and go back to basics, they can decrease their operating expenses and generate enough display advertising to return to profitability. What is plaguing the newspaper industry is a business model that no longer seems viable. I think it's been the mainstream newspaper industry's embrace of new editorial formulas and approaches that has been leading to its demise. The premise of the question seems to suggest that the newspaper industry must develop new ways, citizen journalism included, to remain relevant. I disagree with the assumption that newspapers must adapt significantly in the Internet age. While my opinion runs contrary to what most inside and outside the industry believe, there's no doubting that recent attempts to adapt have failed, seeing as how so many newspapers are losing money or are going bankrupt or are out of business.
How are you using citizen journalism, if indeed you are, in your own newspapers? Are you familiar with any media sites that have successfully done so?
AS: I'm not. And I'm not familiar with sites that have successfully done so, but that certainly doesn't mean they're not out there.
Some critics cringe at the thought of citizen journalism, citing lack of quality and wondering if it's just going to be a bunch of irresponsible, inept bloggers. How would you respond to these critics? Are there any steps that newspapers can take to safeguard against inaccurate, dishonest, slanted or otherwise harmful citizen journalism?
AS: I would agree with these critics as it relates to citizen journalism being a major part of mainstream newspapers. I'm sure there is a place for it ... a valuable place ... in alternative media. As for the second question, I'm sure there are some ways to safeguard, but because I don't believe citizen journalism should be embraced by mainstream newspapers, any thoughts I might have on that topic are probably moot.
No one would pay money at a dentist's office to have a root canal done by a citizen dentist. No one would pay money at a hospital to undergo a gall bladder operation by a citizen surgeon. What makes citizen journalism different in its viability?
AS: A letters to the editor section is, in my opinion, the most relevant place in a mainstream newspaper where citizens can interact with the paper. A "citizen" practicing some form of journalism is not the same as a "citizen dentist." Analogous training is not required for citizens to make meaningful contributions to journalism. I simply think that "members of the public playing an active role in the process of collecting, reporting, analyzing and disseminating news and information" (the definition I read about citizen journalism) is not the answer for mainstream newspapers in their collective efforts to remain relevant and profitable.
Do you believe that citizen journalism helps democratize information? If so, how? What do you think the information roadmap will look like in 20 years?
AS: Yes, but because I don't think citizen journalism should dominate or even play a minor role in the operation of mainstream newspapers, I doubt my belief that it does democratize information is very relevant in the context of this interview. On the third question, I don't think anybody can intelligently predict 20 years down the road. Just think of what the information world looked like in 1989. No one at the time could have envisioned in any full way what 2009 would look like.
Is there anything else you'd like to say about citizen journalism?
AS: I'd just like to stress again that I do think citizen journalism can play an important role. I just don't think the home for it should be mainstream newspapers.
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