Larry Atkins on Citizen Journalism |
This an OurBlook interview with Larry Atkins, adjunct professor of journalism in Arcadia University's English, Communications and Theatre Department.
 Some experts argue that citizen journalism could help local newspapers survive. Do you agree or disagree?
LA: Citizen journalism can help local newspapers survive by making them a more interactive product. Readers who post comments, articles and photos on their local newspaper's website might feel a stronger connection to the paper and be more likely to read the print version and the online version of the paper.
Is there any advice you would give newspapers on how to best incorporate a citizen journalism model into their site?
LA: I think local newspapers could take advantage of citizen journalism much like the manner in which cable television outlets like CNN have used I-Reports. Newspapers could encourage citizen journalists to send photos and write first-person accounts of their experiences in observing a news event. For instance, people who attend a local July 4th parade could send photos, video and written impressions to be posted on the newspaper website. If there are over 50 local July 4th parades in a metropolitan area, one newspaper reporter can't get to all of them. Through citizen journalism I-Reports, a newspaper could post information about most, if not all, of those parades on their website.
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?
LA: Newspapers could hold regular citizen journalism training sessions at the newspaper every month that could focus on newsgathering techniques and media ethics. They also could post a podcast or video presentation on their website giving reporting tips and ethical advice. Have newspaper staff member regularly monitor the citizen journalism submissions much like a newspaper message board to keep an eye out for content that might appear biased, dishonest, false, defamatory or otherwise objectionable.
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?
LA: Professional journalists employed by mainstream media outlets can't be everywhere to cover everything. Citizen journalists, when used effectively, can be used to supplement mainstream media coverage. Just like I-Reports were used effectively in the Minnesota bridge collapse, newspapers and other local media can be enhanced by citizen journalists who are on the scene of tragedies and important events on a local level, such as a car accident, a fire, a school shooting, a war protest, or the aftermath of a hurricane or flood.
Do you believe that citizen journalism helps democratize information? If so, how?
LA: Yes, citizen journalism does democratize information. The major newspapers are no longer the sole outlet for news and opinion. Average people have started websites and blogs and have built a substantial audience and become influential in all sorts of topics. Media consumers have many more options for getting opinions and news analysis.
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