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Unfettered 'citizen journalism' too risky (Dinosaur Media DeathWatchâ„¢)
Atlanta Journal-Constitution ^ | December 13, 2007 | David Hazinski

Posted on 12/13/2007 1:21:17 PM PST by abb

You're beginning to get a lot more news ... from you.

It ranges from the CNN YouTube debates to political blogs to cellphone video of that sniper who opened fire at an Omaha Mall. These are all examples of so called "citizen journalism," the hot new extension of the news business where the audience becomes the reporter.

Supporters of "citizen journalism" argue it provides independent, accurate, reliable information that the traditional media don't provide. While it has its place, the reality is it really isn't journalism at all, and it opens up information flow to the strong probability of fraud and abuse. The news industry should find some way to monitor and regulate this new trend.

The premise of citizen journalism is that regular people can now collect information and pictures with video cameras and cellphones, and distribute words and images over the Internet. Advocates argue that the acts of collecting and distributing makes these people "journalists." This is like saying someone who carries a scalpel is a "citizen surgeon" or someone who can read a law book is a "citizen lawyer." Tools are merely that. Education, skill and standards are really what make people into trusted professionals. Information without journalistic standards is called gossip.

But unlike those other professions, journalism — at least in the United States — has never adopted uniform self-regulating standards. There are commonly accepted ethical principals — two source confirmation of controversial information or the balanced reporting of both sides of a story, for example, but adhering to the principals is voluntary. There is no licensing, testing, mandatory education or boards of review. Most other professions do a poor job of self-regulation, but at least they have mechanisms to regulate themselves. Journalists do not.

snip

(Excerpt) Read more at ajc.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: dbm; enemedia; journalism; liberalism; media; msm; newspapers
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To: Billthedrill

Well said.


41 posted on 12/13/2007 2:40:03 PM PST by ConservativeMind
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To: abb
While it has its place, the reality is it really isn't journalism at all,

Unless it comes from some corporate monolith, it isn't "journalism?"

and it opens up information flow to the strong probability of fraud and abuse.

Yeah, because those are unheard of in the news factories. I submit Peoples' Exhibit A through Z: Dan Rather, Steven Glass, Janet Cooke, ...

The news industry should find some way to monitor and regulate this new trend.

Just like it monitors and regulates the existing news biz? You media clowns would be howling in apoplectic rage if anyone suggested we muzzle YOU.

42 posted on 12/13/2007 2:45:30 PM PST by IronJack (=)
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To: abb

Once upon a time, journalism WAS an honorable profession, especially as practiced at highly reputable newspapers like the Atlanta Constitution and (believe it or not) the New York Times. Then there were the great reporters on the television networks, as exemplified by Edward R Murrow.

However, more recently, all too many journalists have become globalist shills, salacious tabloid guttersnipes, and apologists for feminazis, gaysbians, islamists, muticulturalists, illegal immigrants, and other darlings of the postmodern Left. Then there are the out-and-out LIARS, like Christianne Amanpour and Samantha Power. Power has taken things one step further, and now poses as a Harvard professor, rather than a mere journalist!!!! And the New York Times has become the New World Order Times—”all the news we fit to print.”

“Citizen journalism” is a much needed corrective to the fallen state of contemporary “professional” journalism. The Edward R Murrows of the 2000s and 2010s will probably emerge from the ranks of bloggers and other “citizen journalists”!!


43 posted on 12/13/2007 2:45:40 PM PST by Honorary Serb (Kosovo is Serbia! Free Srpska! Abolish ICTY!)
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To: abb
The news industry should find some way to monitor and regulate this new trend.

"How many divisions does this news industry have?"

Freaking "live and let die" liberals. Anything they don't like must be regulated out of existence. Fascist control freaks.

44 posted on 12/13/2007 2:46:56 PM PST by dead (I've got my eye out for Mullah Omar.)
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To: abb
The news industry should find some way to monitor and regulate this new trend.

I think it's being monitored already, Junior.

Now go forth and regulate the trend.

Freakin' teenager is delusional.

45 posted on 12/13/2007 2:48:10 PM PST by andyandval
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To: abb

The media is being flushed and they can’t stand it. The public is tired of the leftist leaning liberal crap that the so called news is espousing. Note that they want to regulate the “citizen journalism”. Gee, I guess the 2nd Amendment isn’t the only “collective” right anymore eh? Freedom of speech only applies to the media...

Mike


46 posted on 12/13/2007 2:49:33 PM PST by BCR #226
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To: abb
"Citizen journalists can't be trusted!"

"Incoming!"

47 posted on 12/13/2007 2:51:02 PM PST by dead (I've got my eye out for Mullah Omar.)
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To: Sherman Logan
The irony is that the author apparently doesn't recognize that most Americans are convinced the MSM is already loaded with fraud

The irony: journalists seem to be the least informed among us.

LOL

48 posted on 12/13/2007 2:52:28 PM PST by ALPAPilot
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As the Internet continues its spectacular growth, it has been revealing some shocking truths never before known or long denied. One of them that many will not want to hear is that journalism is entertainment. News, like other forms of entertainment, is almost purely about giving us diversion from the worries of our day-to-day lives. ...

49 posted on 12/13/2007 2:55:24 PM PST by Milhous (Gn 22:17 your descendants shall take possession of the gates of their enemies)
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To: abb

“CNN’s last YouTube Republican debate included a question from a retired general who is on Hillary Clinton’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender steering committee.” — Hey Sherlock, It was CNN who vetted the question, not a Citizen Journalist! Genius.


50 posted on 12/13/2007 2:59:36 PM PST by CalvaryJohn (What is keeping that damned asteroid?)
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To: steve-b

This guy is so out of touch it’s unbelievable.


51 posted on 12/13/2007 3:04:02 PM PST by andyandval
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To: abb

[has never adopted uniform self-regulating standards. ]

How about simply telling the TRUTH; Is that a good enough standard?


52 posted on 12/13/2007 3:10:13 PM PST by VxH (One if by Land, Two if by Sea, and Three if by Wire Transfer)
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To: Billthedrill; BraveMan; FBD
"Let's speak frankly here - journalism is, at the moment, one of the most corrupt, shameless, manipulative, arrogant, out of control, celebrity-choked travesties in any industry anywhere. I would no more trust its luminaries to guard my flow of information than I would trust Oprah to guard my Twinkie stash. Some things are too stupid to even consider."

Dayummm, will that fit into a tag-line?

...good-un, Bill. ;^)

53 posted on 12/13/2007 3:16:33 PM PST by Landru (Reality hits the faithful the hardest.)
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To: the_devils_advocate_666
I don't know about that.

The AJC has another article about Cynthia McKinney being Ron Paul's "heir".

Methinks the water shortage in Georgia is causing the AJC to get their water on the cheap, downstream from a meth lab.

54 posted on 12/13/2007 3:22:30 PM PST by Calvin Locke
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To: abb

So what’s Carolyn Washburn’s excuse....?


55 posted on 12/13/2007 3:24:11 PM PST by mewzilla (In politics the middle way is none at all. John Adams)
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To: B-Chan
Not only do they not teach proper English, as far as I can tell their standards aren't too high. I had a girl who was accepted to a 'prestigious' journalism program ask me, after I had told her I was feeling sick, "Do you think you might have appedicitis again?" (the emphasis is mine). She's pretty much your stereotypical dumb blond, saying stuff like that on average every two minutes.
56 posted on 12/13/2007 3:32:32 PM PST by Hyzenthlay (1 4m t3h 1337 h4x0r ch1x!!!!111!!1ONE)
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To: abb
The Tyrannosaurus Rex roared defiantly at the Mammals as he slipped beneath the surface of the tarpit...

Pray for W and Our Troops

57 posted on 12/13/2007 3:41:15 PM PST by bray (Let's Bring Christ Back to Christmas)
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To: abb

Another media dinosaur pining for the days when the great and glorious big-three had a total hammerlock on what went on the airwaves and what most Americans saw or read.

Dead parrots indeed!!!


58 posted on 12/13/2007 4:54:29 PM PST by Ronin (Bushed out!!! Another tragic victim of BDS.)
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To: abb
Advocates argue that the acts of collecting and distributing makes these people "journalists." This is like saying someone who carries a scalpel is a "citizen surgeon" or someone who can read a law book is a "citizen lawyer."

Mis-use of analogy, David Hazinski.

Outstanding FReeper comments! BUMP-TO-THE-TRUTH.

59 posted on 12/13/2007 4:56:36 PM PST by PGalt
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To: abb

Finding the cloud in every silver lining again, eh?


60 posted on 12/13/2007 4:58:04 PM PST by P.O.E.
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