Richard Roher on Citizen Journalism

This is an OurBlook interview with Richard Roher, president of Roher Public Relations, Pleasantville, N.Y.

Some experts argue that citizen journalism could help local newspapers survive. Do you agree or disagree?

RR: Survive, perhaps, as an entity or enterprise, but not with the same scope, authority, influence, accuracy, quality or audience that papers have traditionally had. Newspapers are brands that bestow credibility, authority, gravitas on their content. I don't think "citizen journalism" (is there agreement on what this term even means?) can sustain the type of reporting that produced the Pulitzer prize winning pieces announced this week. Newspapers need new revenue models that work, not new journalism models. I realize the two are related, but what papers need to do is make enough money to support professional journalism at a high standard.

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?

RR: They have a point, though it's not ineptitude I'm worried about (dolts won't attract or keep an audience; I believe quality will out). It's maliciousness or subversiveness that really poses the greatest risk. Skilful, willful acts of misstatement or distortion are the greater concern. Newspapers aren't perfect in keeping out blatant or intentional falsehood, but they do a decent job.

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?

RR: Your analogies are less than perfect, since journalism is not a licensed profession (like medicine). Part of what makes journalists credible or at least worthy of reading are institutions that publish or broadcast their reports. The audience trusts them because the newspaper sanctions them as reliable reporters of accurate info from reliable sources. Can an ad hoc entity ever offer this level of assurance?

Do you believe that citizen journalism helps democratize information?

RR: The web has helped democratize information.

Is there anything else you'd like to say about citizen journalism?

RR: Just like I wouldn't want paramedics replacing our ER doctors, I don't think "citizen journalism" can possibly fill the role of reporters at good local papers. This is not slight on the citizenry, just an acknowledgement that local papers can provide resources and support (financial, legal, ethical, etc.) that lone rangers can't muster.

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written by ugg boots, March 06, 2010

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