COMMENTARY: Social Media spurs citizen journalism trend

It used to be that Americans would wake up in the morning, drink a cup of coffee and read the newspaper either in print or digital format. However, as of 2019, 41% of people said that they “trust the news” and newspaper readership is in decline. Instead, people have started to rely on citizen journalism — or the reporting of the news by members of the public using social media and the Internet. The rise of social media in the last 25 years has led to changes in how the average citizen consumes news. Citizen journalism has done a lot to influence the world of journalism, and when done properly is a good source for journalists.

A large factor contributing to people’s loss of trust in the media is that it is very tightly controlled by six conglomerate companies that each own or bought out several smaller companies, subsidiaries, and are what most recognize and see in our every day lives. National Amusements, Disney, TimeWarner, Comcast, News Corp and Sony are known as The Big 6, and together they are worth $430 billion. These companies have maintained control of the media and have a lot of power in deciding the kind of content produced for the public.

As local papers and stations were bought out, the content produced and published was chosen based on what types of news attract the most attention and “clicks.” News outlets began publishing more syndicated content. On-the-ground reporters were cut resulting in less focus on local events, and as a result, the news was considered less relevant.

When people were asked why they distrusted the news, they answered with issues like “fake news,” bias and inaccuracy. Journalists are taught to speak facts and only facts. However, sometimes the truth may become blurred when the facts are arranged in a way to prove a point by omitting certain facts or emphasizing others.

People began questioning news reporters’ credibility as they shifted their focus to a more “clickbait” style content. Readers began to not trust the news, but 70% reported that with more attention to fact-checking before publication and more transparency, that the trust could be restored.

More readers have turned away from traditional news sources and instead have begun to use social media to get their daily dose of the news. Citizen journalism appears on social media with mixed results. There are instances in which citizen journalism hurts the public. For example, in 2009, an American soldier stationed in Fort Hood began shouting about terrorism and shooting his comrades in arms. While the massacre was happening, the base was locked down according to the military procedure. Nothing was supposed to get in or out, including information, until addressed by army spokesperson, Lt. Gen. Robert Cone. Instead, another soldier based out of Fort Hood began leaking information on Twitter, which was picked up by news wires trying to report on the happenings. Unfortunately, the information tweeted out was inaccurate.

Citizen journalism, when done well, is a valuable public resource because the witness becomes a primary source for reporters, with “Breaking News” stories often coming from this kind of citizen journalism. Because traditional journalists are not always immediately at the scene, having documented eyewitness reports adds another level of credibility to news articles. Take the incident involving Rodney King. Twenty years ago marked a turning point when on March 3, 1991, bystander George Holliday caught on camera L.A. police officers beating a man (Rodney King) as several other officers watched. The video, known as the Rodney King video, shocked the world and showed the world how citizen journalism can be powerful.

Some have feared that citizen journalism could be the end of professional journalism, but more often it supports journalism in general. A lot of good can come from citizen journalism. Professional journalists have begun using social media as a source of information for their content. Several journalists keep track of social media and use it as a source for finding leads for their stories.

In a study by Pew Research Center, 9 out of 10 journalists said they regularly used social media in their work often using social media to publish, promote and distribute their content.

Some fear the coming end for traditional journalism. Because of bias, bad information, and a lack of transparency, people question journalism’s relevancy. Others have avoided the news altogether because they no longer feel they can rely on the news to be true. Because of technology the world of journalism has been changed forever.

Almost everyone in America has a phone with a camera. Now iReporting is a thing and is a prime example of citizens participating in the news and positively affecting the way the news is covered and understood. Professional and citizen journalism are both necessary. Together the two complement each other and can work together to improve news media in a way that effectively informs the world.