Save your local citizen journalist!

JOURNALISM has evolved and developed as a result of the deep, dark recession. The past year has seen redundancies, job-sharing, cut backs in newsroom budgets and news content being compromised as a result of these shrinking newsrooms. Not a pretty sight.

Employed journalists were constantly on edge wondering if they were going to be the next batch to be made redundant. Those who wanted to be employed by a newspaper felt like they had no chance.

However, all is not lost! Cue the phenomenon that is Facebook and Twitter. As newspapers cut their workforce and said goodbye to its printed publications, the web became the best cost-effective and efficient form of gathering and presenting news. In a bid to increase it’s interaction with its readers, on-line newspapers tapped into the regular use of video content and blogs

This rise of online journalism has introduced the trusty, local citizen journalist. However, even though journalism is adapting to how its readers and audiences are choosing to view the news, journalism still needs to be preserved as a skilful profession. Anyone can share information or ‘news’ but lets not forget, only a journalist can piece together a fair and accurate news story.

When you log into Facebook/Twitter, you can obtain various types of ‘news’ about what’s going on in your friends’ lives. Some of this information can be taken as an exclusive scoop.

Last year I wrote a front page story for Cannock’s Chase Post newspaper, based on rumours that Gary Glitter would be moving to the local area. A Facebook user started the group to petition his move- if rumours turned out to be true. For a journalist, it’s easy to obtain quotes and interview the Facebook user when content is open to the public.

To me, locality is absolutely vital with the way social networking sites are incorporated into news gathering. People like to read what’s going on in their local neighbourhood and how it could directly or indirectly affect them, as opposed to issues on the other side of the world.

Newspapers in particular need to let go of its traditional image and adapt to the rapid use of the internet. For example Facebook fan pages for the newspaper can appeal to the younger readers. Long term it’s beneficial.

Accuracy, fairness and objectivity still need to be upheld by a journalist, whether they are behind a news-desk or blogging on the go. This skilful profession needs to be preserved; social networking sites are now just another method of newsgathering, presenting news and drawing in more readers.