Africa: Assessing Mainstream Media Vs Citizen Generated Content

17 October 2013
analysis

Even though fast expanding citizen journalism has created new opportunities for the media, its content still clashes with mainstream operators mainly for lack of professionalism. There are especially important questions about ethics in such content.

The explosion of internet and other new technology devices has resulted in a new trend where people cover events and disseminate content easily and immediately. Blogs, mobile devices, social networks, micro-blogging and other digital tools have allowed people to publish their own stories and cover their own communities (The transition to digital journalism, Paul Grabowicz, 2013). This is what has been referred as "citizen journalism" or "participatory journalism". This has had a remarkable impact on how the traditional media work. "The phenomenon of citizen journalism and the wider trend of user generated content are creating new challenges and opportunities for mainstream media." [1] Even if the content generated by citizens have contributed much in news gathering and dissemination, when it comes to regulations, professionalism and ethical standards, mainstream media and citizen generated content part ways. This is what, with relevant examples, I would like to focus on in this essay.

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