Discussion, Tues. August 31

In today's society new technologies and social networking websites have made it easier for normal citizens to become journalists. Today in class we discussed the never ending question, when does the average citizen cross the line and is considered a journalist? Cell phones with camera capabilities are always around to snap the perfect video for a perfect piece, but when does the citizen become a journalist?

I believe a citizen who has a camera in their hand, shooting a video does not make them automatically a journalist. I believe that means that citizen is strictly enduring in a journalistic act. When the mind sight shifts to wanting create a piece for a profit or to give consumers new information then that may mean the creator is a journalist. The problem here is everything is in the shaded grey area.

The internet offers a wide range of information and many of that information is found on blogger sites like Blogspot.com. Do the creators of blogs, such as this one, automatically make them an author or journalist? If you look at it legally it is considered a copyrighted piece, so yes, that would make them an author. The question that was also raised was how do you know who to trust while searching through blogs? I believe it is necessary to research the blog and the facts within it prior to trusting a site. Since anyone these days can post information, you must check to make sure the source is reliable. If in fact the information within the blog is reliable it is okay to rely on the blog.

Social media sites are also a major shift in technology which allows a rapid flow of information across the globe. In one of Dan Gillmor's articles he discusses the impact social media could have on a day like September 11. Video's, twitters, facebook posts could all have created a larger community throughout the horrific day.