New and digital media; Citizen journalism - mr halsey

Media Magazine (Dec 2009 pg 56-58) 

NOTES ON:

• Examples
  - Rodney King beatings in 1991; it was George Holliday's footage of the beatings on his video phone that allowed the public to see the brutal truth about the police and causing a huge root and debate about it as well as deaths and major injuries.
• theory (audience reception etc.) 
• benefits to institutions 
• benefits to audience 
• wider issues and debates 
• SHEP

QUESTIONS

1) What is meant by the term ‘citizen journalist’?
* The collection and a analysis of news and information by the general public, especially by means of the internet - So it means to have user generated content that the public have collected and are sharing on the internet or through other news source.

2) What was one of the first examples of news being generated by ‘ordinary people’?
* One of the first examples of news being generated by 'ordinary people' is the Rodney King case. Rodney King, and African American was surrounded and then tasered and beaten with batons by four police officers in Los Angles after a high speed chase. This was the first example of news being generated by 'ordinary people' as George Holliday was a witness that was able to pick up his video phone and film the incident through his window. He then cleverly posted this video on the internet therefore causing the case to become big as well as causing the six days of riots in LA where 53 people got killed and 4000 were injured. Till this day individual are still able to view the video on YouTube - showing the impact of this case and why it was such a big news story.
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?
In journalism, a gatekeeper refers to someone who filters information for dissemination through broadcast, publication or even for the internet. He/she functions in all levels of media structure.
6) How has the role of a gatekeeper changed?
A gatekeeper has no longer got as much control as he/she would of had in the previous years. The main reason for this is 'user generated content' as the users of the internet (general public) are now able to post their thoughts and what they want online, the power is now given in their hands therefore gatekeepers are unable to do anything (instantly) on content that they do not want online. Although they are able to have it removed eventually, the few minutes or hours the the user generated content stays up online is enough as when other public see it the news constantly will travel from mouth or messaging.
7) What is one of the primary concerns held by journalists over the rise of UGC?

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