Media Partnership
One may look at the numerous strengths of citizen journalism and conclude that it is not simply another form of media, but a threat that may replace traditional journalism, as some professionals believe (973). However, as author Henry Jenkins concludes from his examination of past media, history has shown otherwise. Jenkins points out that printed words did not replace spoken words, just as movies did not replace theater and television did not replace radio; in his own words, “each old medium was forced to coexist with the emerging media” (14). This is what the world of media is approaching: not a coup d’état of the journalistic throne, and not an extinguishing of the flame that is traditional journalism, but a partnership, or a coexistence.
Professionals and citizen journalists occupy different positions in journalism and do not need to butt heads. To demonstrate, one can examine the findings of Robert W. McChesney of the University of Illinois, who posits four requirements of a healthy journalism. Firstly, journalists must keep a close account of those in positions of power; it seems clear that professionals, with their established ties to high-level officials, already accomplish this. Secondly, journalists must consider the information needs of everyone, particularly those less wealthy or powerful. Citizen journalism has begun working in this area by targeting small communities and specializing in areas of coverage that the mainstream media does not or cannot cover. Thirdly, says McChesney, journalists must separate lies from truth. This is left to professionals, who, with more resources and influence, can more accurately find and determine truthfulness. The final requirement is for journalism to produce a wide scope of views on important issues. With its ability to give everyone a way to voice his or her opinion, citizen journalism was meant clearly meant to satisfy this requirement (McChesney 682).
Professionals and citizen journalists occupy different positions in journalism and do not need to butt heads. To demonstrate, one can examine the findings of Robert W. McChesney of the University of Illinois, who posits four requirements of a healthy journalism. Firstly, journalists must keep a close account of those in positions of power; it seems clear that professionals, with their established ties to high-level officials, already accomplish this. Secondly, journalists must consider the information needs of everyone, particularly those less wealthy or powerful. Citizen journalism has begun working in this area by targeting small communities and specializing in areas of coverage that the mainstream media does not or cannot cover. Thirdly, says McChesney, journalists must separate lies from truth. This is left to professionals, who, with more resources and influence, can more accurately find and determine truthfulness. The final requirement is for journalism to produce a wide scope of views on important issues. With its ability to give everyone a way to voice his or her opinion, citizen journalism was meant clearly meant to satisfy this requirement (McChesney 682).