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Thom Clark on Citizen Journalism

This is an OurBlook interview with Thom Clark, president of the Community Media Workshop, an organizaiton dedicated to community with media, and thus promoting news that matters.

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

TC: With smaller staffs chasing fewer stories, citizen journalists could help local papers keep a broader mix of stories and community reporting in front of readers. Citizen journalists can also show editors or remaining beat reporters where there is keen community interest about certain issues and institutions that could heighten reader interest.

Is there any advice you would give newspapers on how to best incorporate a citizen journalism model into their site? Are you familiar with any media sites that have successfully done so?

TC: Editors would still play a crucial role in vetting and copy casting reporting that is generated by citizen journalists. Two local sites I'm aware of are the St. Paul Minnesota-based Daily Planet (provides original reporting and aggregation) and ChiTown Daily News in Chicago (provides both citizen journalism and paid staff reporter content).

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?

TC: Citizen journalism isn't the same as blogging, though both can play a role in enriching the reporting mix for readers and viewers. Owning a printing press and publishing a newspaper was never a guarantee against inept, irresponsible or biased reporting in the past. Providing an outlet for citizen journalism doesn't relieve a publisher or editor from embracing a traditional gatekeeper role to gain accuracy, context or credibility with readers.

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?

TC: Most dentists and surgeons have a vast health insurance system backing up their enterprises. The business model that provided publishers 20 to 30 percent profit margins has disappeared with Craigslist and the Internet. I can use the web to gain access to much of the information from many more sources than even the best daily newspaper can provide (though I wouldn't expect the web to remove a decayed tooth, just provide me with a list of referrals).

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?

TC: Experts don't always hold wisdom as many bank loan officers and financiers have demonstrated in this recession. Citizen journalists can provide a refreshing antidote to the usual sources covering both sides of a six-sided issue. No one knows what devices will be delivering what kind of "news" product 20 years from now. But I expect content will be still driven by good story-telling crafted by creative storytellers (read: reporters & editors) with a keen sense of audience.

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

TC: It's an exciting time of transition for journalism that more people than ever are paying attention to. Remember that the First Amendment was not a guarantee of profit. Rather it was a protection of free speech so that pamphleteers (read: bloggers) could rail against a monarchy. Journalists certainly should be able to earn a living and will need to be part of the new social enterprises that will come into play to replace traditional journalism outlets.

The Community Media Workshop strives to connect community and nonprofit groups with journalists to promote "news that matters." It is researching the future of online news in Chicago for a local foundation.

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