Not quite hip enough

Powderhorn · **Posted:** Fri Nov 28, 2008 3:55 pm

Quote:

If you are intrigued by the possibilities of â€œcollaborative journalismâ€ and â€œWikinomics,â€ we need you. If you have been following the National Press Clubâ€™s series on the Future of Journalism and you nod your head when Jay Rosen speaks, we want to talk to you as soon as possible.

I'm not, I'm not, I haven't, and who the hell is that guy?

Rio · **Posted:** Sat Nov 29, 2008 12:13 am

I couldn't resist Googling the guy, and learned from his Wikipedia entry that "he is a strong supporter of citizen journalism" and "is often described in the media as an intellectual leader of the movement of public journalism."

Since I can't imagine myself nodding my head at anything a guy like that says, I guess I won't be applying for that job.

Phillip Blanchard · **Posted:** Sat Nov 29, 2008 12:18 am

Jay Rosen is a really smart guy who unfortunately latched on to the "citizen journalism" bit and stubbornly won't let go.

Bakelite · **Posted:** Sat Nov 29, 2008 10:34 am

I avoid using the term for several reasons, but what Rosen is talking about is a powerful idea if we harness it well.

"When the people formerly known as the audience employ the press tools they have in their possession to inform one another, thatâ€™s citizen journalism."

I'm prepared for the "snarky" comments that are sure to follow.

gdcfa · **Posted:** Sat Nov 29, 2008 12:39 pm

Seriously, how can you expect to "harness" something that is intended to be unharnessed? So-called citizen journalism is not always journalism; it varies between good reporting and bad rumour-mongering. It is something we can observe and report on, when necessary, but it's not something you can, or should attempt to, "harness."

Editer · **Posted:** Sat Nov 29, 2008 2:15 pm

gdcfa wrote:

Seriously, how can you expect to "harness" something that is intended to be unharnessed?

Jump out in front as it goes by and pretend to be leading.

Seriously, you're taking the previous post too literally. Citizen journalists, or pick your own term, want an outlet for their reporting, and news organizations happen to have just that sort of thing. Figuring out a way to bring the two together is one of the great challenges for news orgs today. And Rosen is one of the leading idea people on the topic.

Bakelite · **Posted:** Sat Nov 29, 2008 2:39 pm

Without quibbling over what it means to "harness," we've had a lot of success from broadening our access and expanding our reporting by participating in social networks, and even creating our own. Not everything that the community contributes is journalism, but that's OK; the pet-and-baby pictures are cute and help pay the bills.

ndugan1 · **Posted:** Sun Nov 30, 2008 5:47 pm

Quote:

Candidates should also be strong with words -- know AP style, be able to find holes in stories, massage cutlines and write engaging headlines.

Oh, and by the way ...

miss msry · **Posted:** Mon Dec 01, 2008 3:04 pm

Just wait till we have to live through Citizen Porn. And how does one sue the "Citizen" for gross negligent slander or libel? "Citizens" don't have deep pockets, don't understand that journalists actually have rules prescribed by law they must follow and could pretty much not give a damn.

I don't think absence of malice is going to cover these yahoos.

Rio · **Posted:** Tue Dec 02, 2008 2:50 pm

I'm sure CNN is having second thoughts about the value of "citizen journalism," given that it was a CNN "citizen journalist" who reported a month and a half ago that Steve Jobs had had a heart attack.

This type of journalism should be restricted to what Bakelite calls pet-and-baby pictures. Expanding the reach beyond that is asking for trouble.

Bakelite · **Posted:** Tue Dec 02, 2008 9:38 pm

That's one part of my problem with the label "citizen journalism". The babies-and-pets stuff shouldn't be confused with news, but don't get me wrong; "regular" people are committing news every day, and that's a great thing, maybe even revolutionary.

That said, anyone who sold their stock on the basis of a post on the web deserved what they got.

Bumfketeer · **Posted:** Tue Dec 02, 2008 9:54 pm

1. I have no problem with pet and baby photos if they help sell papers. Why not? Why should we be arrogant at our own expense?

2. I DO have a problem with letting civilians report the news under the banner of a professional news organization. Let them say what they want about whatever in some kind of a citizen blog, but make it clear that it's their view on whatever and not the "official reportage" of the newspaper. If any of that makes any sense.

paulwiggins · **Posted:** Tue Dec 02, 2008 11:14 pm

Phillip Blanchard wrote:

Jay Rosen is a really smart guy who unfortunately latched on to the "citizen journalism" bit and stubbornly won't let go.

Quite right.

Heartodixie · **Posted:** Sat Dec 06, 2008 4:29 am

You know, there are more and more ex-journos running around out here who could really give the movement some legs. Joe Sixpack has better things to do than gather info for big media.

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