Examples:
- Citizen journalists use devices like phones to record live events and use the internet to post the content. Leading to certain videos becoming viral which can then be used for evidence depending on the scenario of the story
- Rodney King. Brutally beaten by four Los Angeles police officers. Rodney King, an African American, who was in a high speed chase was tasered and then beaten with clubs. It was recorded by a onlooker from his apartment window and made prime time news and became and international media sensation. Racism was obviously being portrayed here by the officers and they were all charged. Thanks to the onlooker having a camera to record the footage, the whole World was/is able to see the other side to police and it provided evidence
- The natural disaster of the Asian Tsunami on December 26th 2004 was another turning point for user generated content. It was a mix of citizen journalism and accidental journalism as some people saw it waves coming from afar and began to record it. Others were just enjoying the resort and recording the atmosphere so they could treasure the memory of being in the tropical country. However, these people were awoken with the greatest shock as they eventually witnessed nasty waves rapidly approaching the resort.
Theories:
- Levis Strauss' theory of ideologies - user generated content allows audiences to see reality in a recordings or pictures. This is important as it can changes the way people think or could make people act in certain ways. For example the Rodney King story lead to riots for in America and other protests including some currently (Black Live Matter). It provides evidence and usually another side to a story the authority want the public to hear. The police officers involved could have changed people's ideologies of them in night thanks to a bystander recording the footage
- Representations can either be reinforced or subverted slightly because of user generated content. Its not new news that some police in America are criminals with a badge but UGC has helped us identify these criminals and bring justice to whoever they have hurt. Other people in America who believe all police are doing their jobs and shouldn't be punished maybe are considering where they now stand because of the evidence constantly being revealed on a daily basis. Therefore, Tessa Perkins' theory of some stereotypes being true can be applied here
Benefits to institutions:
- News channels can now use the user generated content to show their audiences evidence to a report through television or their website
- Viewings can increase as more people want to see footage from an incident
- Possibly wouldn't have to go to the scene of the event if they have enough footage. Especially if its too dangerous
Benefits to audiences:
- They are able to be citizen journalists so would feel they have provided society with help and evidence to bring justice
- Its easy being a citizen journalist once they are witnessing a irrational event because they would only have to record it with their phone
- More evidence for people to see
- Feels more realistic
Wider issues and debates:
- The UGC doesn't provide any opinions on issues but can answer some questions that we wouldn't have been able to in the past
- It allows us to expose people in positions of power like the police and others
- However justice has been brought upon people without UGC, accountability journalists do their most to bring down people with power
SHEP:
- Journalists could be at risk of losing their jobs if people settle with only viewing the citizen's user generated content and not caring more about a report
- Public would be at risk because Government can cover up stories that affect them if people don't care/research the truth
- Institutions would save money if they make journalists redundant
3. What is meant by the term ‘citizen journalist’?
Citizen journalist is when anyone (hence citizen) captures an event and would sometimes report on it like a journalist would.
4. What was one of the first examples of news being generated by ‘ordinary people’?
Rodney King being brutally beaten by the police in LA which was recorded by police.
5. List some of the formats for participation that are now offered by news organisations.
- Message rooms
- Chat boards
- Q and A
- Polls
- Have your say
- Blog
6. What is one of the main differences between professionally shot footage and that taken first-hand (UGC)?
Professional footage is more clear and has better quality than citizen journalists. It requires editing to show a perspective of the story the news institution wants its audience to witness. Therefore, it isn't a realistic report compared to when user generated content is put alongside it. This content seems more realistic as it isn't edited or isn't professional.
7. What is a gatekeeper?
They decide what is or isn't news and what will or won't be broadcast.
8. How has the role of a gatekeeper changed?
The role of gatekeepers hasn't really changed but people are finding ways around them. Some people have resorted to blogs where they talk about issues and debates as an independent media so have the choice of blogging what they wish. They are controlling what is and isn't news.
9. What is one of the primary concerns held by journalists over the rise of UGC?
Their jobs can be lost if user generated content increases. This could be through the number of devices people are using or whether some people believe they are socially responsible to protect society.
10. Offer your own opinion (critical autonomy) on the following:
What impact is new/digital media having on:
News stories:
It allows institutions to show evidence of news stories to increase trust with audiences.
News agenda:
Forces news institutions to report on more news stories even if it goes against their audiences ideologies. As UGC can be posted on social media without gatekeepers stopping them from doing so.
The role of professionals in news:
This probably refers to journalism. I believe they have a major role in creating reports for news. Not only on criminal events to go alongside citizen journalists but live conferences like sporting events or an election. Journalists would have to ask the right questions to be able to report on powerful people's views.
Hyper reality
1.
Examples:
- Use of social media - this would allow news institutions to provide updated news for people to see
Theories:
- Hypodermic needle model can be used to suggest people are believing what they find on the internet. This means that their views and beliefs can easily be swayed by some significant people on the internet. This could be celebrities or news institutions on social media posting news stories and their opinions.
Positive aspects of new technology:
- Citizen journalism - this is where people are able to capture an event an post it or share with others. Usually posted on social media for everyone to see which is a good thing as it provides evidence
- Has made news institutions more efficient as they can provide updated news through their website or social media
- For example, phone calls on 9/11
Negative aspects of new technology:
- Loss of jobs - journalists are at risk of losing their jobs as people are doing some of what they specialise in through citizen journalism (blog, recordings)
2. The article was written in 2009. Offer three examples of more recent social networking sites or uses of technology that support the idea of a 'digital renaissance'.
Twitter, Instagram and Facebook are the three examples.
3. How do live streaming services such as Periscope or Facebook Live fit into the idea of a 'digital renaissance'? Are these a force for good or simply a further blurring of reality?
They provide a more realistic view on some situations. It depends on how its being used, but it gives more people the chance of becoming a citizen journalist. This is a good thing for society as we have a more realistic perspective of events
4. How can we link the 'digital renaissance' to our case study on news? Is citizen journalism a further example of hyper-reality or is it actually making news more accurate and closer to real life?
They both discuss talk about the professionalism of news.
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