Is Assuming the Role of Citizen Journalist Worth the Risk - Essay Example

Is Assuming the Role of Citizen Journalist Worth the Risk? When people who are not professionalreporters, convey reports to the public, they come under the category of citizen journalists. Citizen journalism can range from short videos to daily blogs that narrate information to the public and usually contain a personal opinion of the reporter at the end. These pieces of information can be about the current political situation of the world, or can be of any sporting event. Citizen journalists while communicating information, usually accompany it with their opinions and their own analysis of the matter. Viral videos made of any random event, which a person might have stumbled upon, also comes under the section of citizen journalism. This facility of communicating information on various events has been made possible for the people, by the Internet. Before the invention of internet, professional reporters used to be the only ones reporting information on current events. But Internet and other forms of media, has allowed regular citizens to do the same. (Tony Rogers). Citizen journalism, as far as blogging and writing different articles is concerned, does not seem to hurt anyone and only portrays the freedom of speech that has been granted to the people. But making videos of incidents such as a fire or a car crash can be pretty dangerous. Some people involved in such accidents seem more concerned with recording the event in anyway, than to get to safety or helping other to reach a safe point. For example, such an event took place when there was some problem with an airplane and an emergency landing had to be done. A passenger on the airplane named Eddie Ho was caught taking pictures and making a video of the emergency evacuation being done by the airport authorities. His actions did not please the authorities at all, and he was reprimanded by the chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, that his job was to get out of the plane safely and help others in evacuating as quickly as possible. During such events amateur reporting or making videos is not praised, but criticized. At the same time, when the investigators acknowledged the pictures taken by Eddie, saying that they could be valuable during the inquiry, they also stated that even pausing for a minute during such situations can be detrimental for the person himself and the other people. They recommend that the wisest thing to do is for the people to get to safety and not worry about taking pictures or videos, which might or might not be helpful. Therefore, many people do not think that a person should risk his life just to take a few last minute pictures or make a video that could easily be rejected by the media if it is not much of help. Plus, it is very dangerous for a person to stand around taking pictures or making videos, while risking his life and moreover, the life of other people. Kelly McBride, a media ethics professor, advises the different channels and other forms of media to discourage such actions by not taking pictures or videos made by amateurs, because they might be endangering their own and other people’s lives during the process. Therefore with such disapproval on the part of the media authorities, it does not seem viable for people to do journalism work while they caught up in a life-threatening situation. (Mark Memmott. 2005) However, many people reject the notion that amateurs should not try taking pictures or making videos. They argue that how come a professional reporter should be allowed to do journalism while caught up in a threatening situation and an amateur should not. Events such as the Virginia Tech Massacre, has helped to bolster such arguments. During the Virginia Tech incident, a Palestinian student named Jamal Albarghouti, managed to record the whole incident and his video was the only live footage of the incident that was available to the world. Naturally, his actions were praised by everyone, including many famous personalities such as popular host, Larry King. It was obvious that he had shown ample courage by putting his life in danger and recording the whole incident which turned out to be one of the most traumatic and bloody incidents in US history. Jamal showed his responsibility as a citizen journalist and his actions raised the question that whether is it ok for citizens to do the work of professional reporters in such dire situations. Accepting the work of the brave student, the media personnel opened their doors for more citizen journalists to perform similar deeds and carry out their duties as responsible citizens. Media realizes that their reporters cannot be always be present to record such important events, and asking the citizens to contribute is an alternative. There seems to be hypocrisy at the part of the media, because at one point they discourage such actions but when they get their hands on a gold mine, they start to acknowledge the responsibilities of the citizens as on spot journalists. (Lily Yulianti, 2007). As far as the argument is concerned whether citizens should take risks and cover critical situations when they have a chance to, then the answer is yes. Because it does not make any sense that a professional reporter can risk his life to stop and take pictures during a risky situation, and a regular person cannot. Is it because the life of a reporter is not worth much, or is it because he is being paid to do this. Anyways, if a person feels that he has a chance to cover something when no one else isn’t, while not endangering his life or the life of other people, then he should go through with it. Just like the case of Virginia Tech, where if the student had not made a video, then we would not have much information on what happened during that incident. His video was the only one available, and it seemed to be valuable for everyone ranging from media to the investigators. Also it does not make any sense that a person who is paid to cover different incidents should be allowed to take such risks, and a normal person cannot. (George D. Micewicz, 2009). References Rogers, Tony. "Citizen Journalism - What Is Citizen Journalism?." Journalism - Citizen Journalism - College Journalism - Journalism Jobs and Careers - Reporting and News Writing. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2012. Read More