Citizen Journalism: The Rise And Rise Of UGC

The Rise And Rise Of UGC

Examples:
- LA riots (1991, Rodney King, Police brutality, George Holliday)
- Asian Tsunami (Dec 26th 2004)
- London Bombings (July 5th 2005)
- Seung-Hui Cho (Virginia Tech., Killing Rampage)
- Mumbai bombings (Late November 2008)
- Hudson River Plane Crash (January 15th 2009)

Benefits to Institutions:
More institutions will receive UGC as people want to show the real side of the news. This gives an advantage to institutions as they will have more content to show to the audience. Also, UGC doesn't cost the institution anything, therefore saving money for them.

Benefits to Audience:
Audiences are more able to get their opinions out to the masses. Also, people feel that showing the real side of the news is benefiting the audience as there is no 'editing' involved from the big broadcast institutions.

Wider Issues and Debates:
What will happen to the professional journalists if their hard work isn't needed anymore?
Is there a need for the 'news' from big institutions when we have online means?

SHEP:

Social: Social media has allowed news to break to the masses much faster than previously. This may allow certain stories-that wouldn't have been previously seen-to be show to a much larger audience.

Historical: Digital tech. is now seen as the new broadcast. It is regarded as highly-in terms of a platform to deliver news-as broadcast was from the 70's(?) onwards.

Economical: Institutions can't make as much of a profit online as there is always an alternative that is cheaper or free. This has been one of the main reasons firms can't make enough money to keep their paper open.

Political: Politicians and governments can change policies specifically as they can now see what the audience wants directly (blogs, twitter etc)

1) What is meant by the term ‘citizen journalist’? The collection, dissemination, and analysis of news and information by the general public, especially by means of the Internet. To summarise: The ordinary public collecting news through new and digital means to be distributed by big news corporations.

2) What was one of the first examples of news being generated by ‘ordinary people’? When police brutality was caught on camera by an onlooker in LA

3) List some of the formats for participation that are now offered by news organisations. Social Media, online discussions and forums, message boards, allowing comments on articles etc.

4) What is one of the main differences between professionally shot footage and that taken first-hand (UGC)? First-hand footage will be the raw uncut version of events. This would have been shot by an onlooker. Professionally shot footage will have been researched and edited to show the most information possible in the clip. It will also be a more polished version of events.

5) What is a gatekeeper? An organisation that will help finalise the news agenda.

6) How has the role of a gatekeeper changed? Due to social media, The audience now has a minor role in the say of what is shown. This is due to the opportunity audiences have to show their opinion.

7) What is one of the primary concerns held by journalists over the rise of UGC? Journalists jobs could be cut short as may not be a need for them anymore. This is because as corporations lose money, they won't have enough to pay salaries, turning to UGC. Also, with the developments in technology, UGC is getting better and better; not just in quality, but in professionalism. This could also be the downfall of professional journalists.

What impact is new/digital media having on the following:

• News stories - New Media is causing big institutions to show more UGC. This could be because the footage from the UGC is better than their own or it could be to make the audience feel they have now have a role in the news making them feel more included. This could, in turn, bring more audiences to this institution.
• The news agenda (the choice of stories that make up the news) - News stories that wouldn't have been shown as much before are now being shown more due to the increased interest by audiences. And this interest wouldn't be shown without the means of the internet.
• The role of professionals in news - Audiences could argue that professionals can now be seen as having less of a major role in the making of the news as so much UGC is used today. I think in the future, we could be seeing just one person on the news. A deliverer for the audience.