Citizen Journalism: Point of view from third-party sources

Being a journalist does not equate to being a ‘know-it-all’ and having the credit all by yourself. In most cases, the people in the community contribute to that of the works of a journalist. This is what a journalist named Paul Lewis is talking about in his Ted Talk. Through the collaboration of journalists with people who become the eyewitnesses to the accident or issue or may even have specific details about the people involved, it carries out a powerful contribution no matter how small. It is pointed out how a simple reaction or comment using the Twitter platform helps certain news situations.

As Lewis has mentioned, Collaborative Journalism gives ordinary people empowerment to play an essential role in society. Currently, there are millions of citizens glued on their gadgets and devices scrolling through various social media platforms. Would it make a massive effect if these millions of people would be provided with the information that, in their ways, through their senses, gadgets, and social media platforms, they may unravel necessary details? Necessary details and information that a specific news journalist or even the world needs to hear, information that may set a person free or give him/her justice, and information that would support those of the statements presented in a case.

Personally speaking, I have been aware of the power that Citizen Journalism, yet I have never been more enlightened with its impact not before witnessing the stories shared on this Ted talk. The stories of Ian Tomlinson and Jimmy Mubenga shared by Lewis are just mere proof that Citizen Journalism steps up the way for people like Tomlinson and Mubenga to be given justice through the eyes of other witnesses. This is essential because, in our modern world, a photograph, or video of having to witness something later on posting it to social media would bring further evidence to either help or worsen the victim’s situation and/or the suspect taken. In our society, justice is rarely served to people when there is no further evidence present; that is why citizen journalism is influential in helping those affected and convicted. Like Tomlinson and Mubenga, more people like them have been helped by people who were merely witnesses to the situation.

Now, who would think that Citizen Journalism holds so much accountability and power? With the tantamount of people who are active in their social media platforms, there is much ability and advantage held by these citizens in saving and helping more victims in the future by simply being a journalist in their techy ways.