Citizen journalism

Read the article from Media Magazine: The Rise and Rise of UGC (Dec 2009) and then create a blogpost where you make notes under the following headings:

• ·         examples
• ·         theory (audience reception etc.) 
• ·         benefits to institutions 
• ·         benefits to audience 
• ·         wider issues and debates 
• ·         SHEP

Next, answer the following questions in the same blogpost:

1) What is meant by the term ‘citizen journalist’?
2) What was one of the first examples of news being generated by ‘ordinary people’?
3) List some of the formats for participation that are now offered by news organisations.
4) What is one of the main differences between professionally shot footage and that taken first-hand (UGC)?
5) What is a gatekeeper?
6) How has the role of a gatekeeper changed?
7) What is one of the primary concerns held by journalists over the rise of UGC?

Finally, consider the following questions:

What impact is new/digital media having on the following:

• ·         news stories
• ·         the news agenda (the choice of stories that make up the news)
• ·         the role of professionals in news