The Rise of the Citizen Journalist Continues?

With the continued widespread popularity and easy-to-use social media applications and multi-purpose personal communications devices, is the era of the “citizen journalist” here to stay? Other questions to ponder are: Have the media contributions of the populace enhanced the news coverage of our media outlets or simply made their job easier? Or rather, are these citizen journalists going too far in disrupting the news gathering and reporting process?

We live in a time when it seems anyone toting an image-capturing phone can assume the role of a reporter. While “Johnny-on-the-Spot” coverage of small airplane accidents, crimes and other major out-of-the-ordinary happenings have proven helpful and riveting in augmenting news coverage, there are limits and drawbacks to relying on a casual observing bystander trying to be a CNN correspondent or pursuing the status of a notable one-hit wonder on YouTube.

Last Sunday I was traveling from New York City back to Phoenix when several airlines were severely backed up to some ground control issues and other logistics that weren’t conveyed to the passengers. So it was basically the JetBlue scenario from this past winter only without the inclement weather. So after nearly an hour of sitting on the tarmac and going nowhere (it was a connecting flight from Buffalo) an agitated and restless man next to me took it upon himself to call the CBS news desk and “report” the “major incident” that was unfolding at JFK airport. Was the ensuing five-hour delay a hassle to all affected? It sure was, but by no means did the episode merit the attention and resources of a major network news outlet. News desk editors surely get more than their share of these wannabe newsmakers now than in the past.

The problem with the rise of major television news outlets incorporating the images and accounts of citizen journalists is that the news consumers are trying too hard to be news creators or disseminators and they are always mindful of potentially trivial or provincial occurrences and want to be a part of news as it happens. They still need to realize that professional reporters and producers operate in a high-pressured, time-sensitive environment when assessing and determining what is real news, and while they still need and appreciate viewer tips, news coverage is not there to serve the whims and aspirations of attention-craving individuals.

About the Author: Ellen Stevens

As the Search Media Manager for Off Madison Ave’s interactive division, Mighty Interactive, Ellen develops and manages strategic online paid search and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) campaigns for clients of all sizes. She is also the head of the internship program at Off Madison Ave. Ellen uses her previous agency internship experience to be an effective mentor and help the students develop skills they will need professionally after graduation. Ellen graduated from the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and a certificate in international business.