Steve Outings posted an intriguing article,11 Layers of Citizen Journalism, onto PoynterOnline. The article divulges into the concept of Citizen Journalism and the many facets of what exactly it entails.
Outings explores the concepts of public comment, add-on reporter, open-source reporting, citizen bloghouse, stand-alone-citizen-journalism site edited & unedited, and a print version. As readers become more familiar with using the Internet, the anility to partake on citizen journalism is endless. There are no more restrictions, as in the case of writing to the editor and the letter is not printed....now we are able to visit hybrid newspapers, such as Ann Arbor News, and comment on whatever our heart desires, negative or poditive: WE HAVE THE RIGHT!
There is an issue that arises:How do you strike a balance between editoral control and citizen expression?
Editors of a hybrid newspaper are faced with the challenge of making the final decision as to leave commentary notes as is or edit for misspellings, grammatical errors and so forth. The argument lies within not editing to retain the author's point as is; to express the meaning within their individual personality. Yet the opposing side states to edit the material to retain credibility of the site and not create a "mish-mosh" of information as stated by Outings in his article.
I feel that a hybrid newspaper should have the ability to edit in a minute fashion; not the point intended, but minor issues such as spelling/grammatical errors. On the other hand, blogs, chat forums and so forth....leave as is....it is the freedom of expression and you are left to be judged, so you better know how to spell!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
"Find Your Voice: Writing for a Webzine"
Reading the article, Find Your Voice: Writing for a Webzine, poses the question: What is a public voice?
Pulic voice is the synthesis that lies halfway between two extremes: a private voice and a commercial voice.
A private voice makes no concession to others: the only priority is honest expression, regardless of whether anyone will comprehend or identify with your words.
A commercial voice wants only to produce a predetermined effect in the audience: study the audience and then tell them what they want to hear.
Therefore, what is a public voice? After reading and analyzing the article, I came to the conclusion that "your" voice is something that you are passionate about that strikes the interest of others through your expression of voice in writing.
While browsing a hot blog spot Wordpress, I came across the blog, Caught in the Web, by Eliza Cracknell. The blog explores Social Media & Networking. I find her voice intriguing in how she digs into how media is rapidly changing. She analyzes Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and the vast array of media outlets that are utilized daily, hourly and even by the minute not just for social pleasure, but retrieving facts, information and news. A specific blog,astates how a woman's magazine utilizes Twitter to update their readers in a matter of seconds regarding upcoming issues, sales and promotions.
I really enjoy Eliza's writing style in how she incorporates wit with fact, charm with news and an overall funky personality to her blog that doesn't bore the reader, but rather encourages them to read on.
Pulic voice is the synthesis that lies halfway between two extremes: a private voice and a commercial voice.
A private voice makes no concession to others: the only priority is honest expression, regardless of whether anyone will comprehend or identify with your words.
A commercial voice wants only to produce a predetermined effect in the audience: study the audience and then tell them what they want to hear.
Therefore, what is a public voice? After reading and analyzing the article, I came to the conclusion that "your" voice is something that you are passionate about that strikes the interest of others through your expression of voice in writing.
While browsing a hot blog spot Wordpress, I came across the blog, Caught in the Web, by Eliza Cracknell. The blog explores Social Media & Networking. I find her voice intriguing in how she digs into how media is rapidly changing. She analyzes Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and the vast array of media outlets that are utilized daily, hourly and even by the minute not just for social pleasure, but retrieving facts, information and news. A specific blog,astates how a woman's magazine utilizes Twitter to update their readers in a matter of seconds regarding upcoming issues, sales and promotions.
I really enjoy Eliza's writing style in how she incorporates wit with fact, charm with news and an overall funky personality to her blog that doesn't bore the reader, but rather encourages them to read on.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
WIKI-Digital Journalism
Last week, on October 13th, I posted an entry on the "Digital Journalism" page found on Wikipedia. I checked it today to see of the post has been formatted and was excited to see that my original entry is still there, untouched, and readily accessible for any reader to see! Here is my post:
Digital Journalism is the revolution of how news is consumed by society. Online sources are able to preovide quick, efficient, accurate reportings of breaking news in the matter of seconds, providing society with a synopsis of events as they occur. Throughout the development of the event, journalists are able to feed online sources the information keeping readers up to date in mere seconds. Digital Journalism does not mean the death of newspapers, but rather the evolution of how we retain our news. Online sources are media outlets for news happening at the moment, reported objectively, providing factual information, while newspapers can return to the roots of their foundation and provide an in-depth analysis of current events.
Digital Journalism is the revolution of how news is consumed by society. Online sources are able to preovide quick, efficient, accurate reportings of breaking news in the matter of seconds, providing society with a synopsis of events as they occur. Throughout the development of the event, journalists are able to feed online sources the information keeping readers up to date in mere seconds. Digital Journalism does not mean the death of newspapers, but rather the evolution of how we retain our news. Online sources are media outlets for news happening at the moment, reported objectively, providing factual information, while newspapers can return to the roots of their foundation and provide an in-depth analysis of current events.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Speculation
While surfing the Net during some free time, I came across this blog post that I would like to share with you.
How journalism has changed....states the obvious: the never-ending evolvment of journalism, yet what intrigued me was the usage of personal examples to support the theory of citizen journalism.
The post explores the past and present of journalism, the restrictions to the open-forum, the limitations to the freedoms.....the post is quite intriguing.
How journalism has changed....states the obvious: the never-ending evolvment of journalism, yet what intrigued me was the usage of personal examples to support the theory of citizen journalism.
The post explores the past and present of journalism, the restrictions to the open-forum, the limitations to the freedoms.....the post is quite intriguing.
Impact of "New Media" on the News
Dr. Logan's Understanding New Media, explores the growth of the news media outlets, ranging from the traditional newspaper to the popularized Internet and how the two have become a collaborative force to presenting "news" quickly, efficiently and accurately.
What is news? What is information? Is there a distinction?
The online news environment blurs the distinction between news and information; while the traditional newspaper provided the reader with the latest reports of daily events occurring locally, nationally or worldwide, the Internet holds no limitations. Therefore, the online news environment has the ability to incorporate the past into a new genre of generating news, yet is it all newsworthy or merely information?
Rich Gordon, Director of Digital Technology in Education at Northwestern University, states that in order for citizen journalism to be successful, there must be a citizen editor.
What is a citizen editor? According to the article, Understanding New Media, a citizen editor would solicit other people to provide information and encourage interactivity among users.
I agree with Rich Gordon in retrospect to utilizing a citizen editor. Despite the fact that we do have the freedom to post articles, pictures and entries onto the Web for all to see, how does a reader sift through the information and decipher what is credible and not? A citizen editor, trained in the field in Journalism, will be able to take the initiative to promote the site, while educating and encouraging community members to participate by submitting tidbits of information and/or images. The citizen editor will organize the information submitted and enhance the site to promote the concept of citizen journalism.
While reading the article, I was intrigued to better understand the world of citizen journalism. I found the article: The 11 Layers of Citizen Journalism by Steve Outing. The article deciphers in-depth the meaning of citizen journalism by exploring blogs, Wikipedia and social networking sites such as Facebook/MySpace.
In the conclusion of the article, Dr. Logan states, "If newspapers can no longer be the first to report breaking because of television, radio and the Internet, then perhaps they should get back to their roots....newspapers were a source of depth, analysis and opinion." This is a great statement and supports my opinion that newspapers are not dying, but rather transforming. Society wants "news" now, therefore utilizing the Web, yet society also enjoys an intellectual piece that involves analysis, so why not pick up the paper?
What is news? What is information? Is there a distinction?
The online news environment blurs the distinction between news and information; while the traditional newspaper provided the reader with the latest reports of daily events occurring locally, nationally or worldwide, the Internet holds no limitations. Therefore, the online news environment has the ability to incorporate the past into a new genre of generating news, yet is it all newsworthy or merely information?
Rich Gordon, Director of Digital Technology in Education at Northwestern University, states that in order for citizen journalism to be successful, there must be a citizen editor.
What is a citizen editor? According to the article, Understanding New Media, a citizen editor would solicit other people to provide information and encourage interactivity among users.
I agree with Rich Gordon in retrospect to utilizing a citizen editor. Despite the fact that we do have the freedom to post articles, pictures and entries onto the Web for all to see, how does a reader sift through the information and decipher what is credible and not? A citizen editor, trained in the field in Journalism, will be able to take the initiative to promote the site, while educating and encouraging community members to participate by submitting tidbits of information and/or images. The citizen editor will organize the information submitted and enhance the site to promote the concept of citizen journalism.
While reading the article, I was intrigued to better understand the world of citizen journalism. I found the article: The 11 Layers of Citizen Journalism by Steve Outing. The article deciphers in-depth the meaning of citizen journalism by exploring blogs, Wikipedia and social networking sites such as Facebook/MySpace.
In the conclusion of the article, Dr. Logan states, "If newspapers can no longer be the first to report breaking because of television, radio and the Internet, then perhaps they should get back to their roots....newspapers were a source of depth, analysis and opinion." This is a great statement and supports my opinion that newspapers are not dying, but rather transforming. Society wants "news" now, therefore utilizing the Web, yet society also enjoys an intellectual piece that involves analysis, so why not pick up the paper?
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
What is Next??
After reading Jeff Jarvis's blog regarding the FCC regulations on blogs, I am thoroughly annoyed.
What is next? Regulation of what is said in everyday conversation?
The blog is context-rich in information, supplying the reader with background information, a PDF link to the regulations and of course the wonders of the biased opinion of Jeff Jarvis!
Despite the fact that the First Amendment protects our rights to the freedom of speech, I feel that this "right" is consistently infringed upon by the government with ridiculous regulations, codes and "politically correct" statements. I agree that newspapers should report fairly and in an objective manner, BUT firmly disagree of the same model for blogs. I was under the assumption that blogs were created for the main stance of stating, supplying and providing one's opinion, no matter what the stance was. Guess I was wrong....
What is next? Regulation of what is said in everyday conversation?
The blog is context-rich in information, supplying the reader with background information, a PDF link to the regulations and of course the wonders of the biased opinion of Jeff Jarvis!
Despite the fact that the First Amendment protects our rights to the freedom of speech, I feel that this "right" is consistently infringed upon by the government with ridiculous regulations, codes and "politically correct" statements. I agree that newspapers should report fairly and in an objective manner, BUT firmly disagree of the same model for blogs. I was under the assumption that blogs were created for the main stance of stating, supplying and providing one's opinion, no matter what the stance was. Guess I was wrong....
Ring, Ring.....where are you PHONE?
"Finders, Keepers" "Losers, Weepers".....
Typically this phrase would apply to many of us who have been unfortunate to lose an item of importance, but not Ivanna.
Clay Shirkey explores the wonders of technology and communication through digital journalism in the article: "It Takes A Village To Find A Phone"
Ivanna leaves her phone, a T-Mobile Sidekick, in a NY cab which is then picked up by another rider. Ivanna, distraught by the mishap, turns to a friend for consoling and help. Evan Guttman, a programmer in the financial industry, offers a reward for the return of the phone via e-mail message that would show on the phone. No luck.....
Ivanna suffers her loss and moves on....purchasing a new phone, transferring the information from the old to the new.....Cha-Ching....JACKPOT! Photos taken and emailed by the thief were transferred to the new phone...we have a culprit: Sasha!
Evan immediately reacts, contacts Sasha, offers a reward......situation resolved right? WRONG! Sasha puts up a fight, lashes out with racial slander and refuses the return of the phone. Bad Call Sasha.....
Evan decides to take the story public, creating a webpage titled StolenSidekick, which he sends to his friends. The webpage sparks conversation and begins to circulate the web, people who are diffused by anger at losing personal belongings, jump in to fight the cause. The police were contacted, yet did nothing to help, stating the phone was considered "lost" rather than "stolen". Evan consistently updates the site with the latest news regarding the phone, fueling readership and dedication among STRANGERS to stand up as one and find a resolution!
Individuals serve as one-person media outlets by discussing the issue on weblogs, mailing lists and various electronic groups. The story spread like wild fire through a forest...flames licking away to quench their thirst....thirst for more, thirst for a cause, thirst for resolution!
The ability to sit a computer, click letters on the keyboard and hit send....spreading viewpoints, opinions, news, rumors..anything the heart desires, for the world to see in a matter of seconds without ever stepping foot outside the door of your home is amazingly breath-taking....
Are there repercussions? Ethical issues that arise? Should Sasha had to endure the sexual innuendos, racial slurs or degradation of her character? Some people would say that she deserved it, others firmly against it. I personally feel that she placed herself into the situation by declining the offer to return the phone, therefore obtaining full responsibility of any feedback...negative, positive or neutral.
While reading the story, I was fascinated with the response that was generated regarding the everyday issue of someone losing their phone. People joined forces, clicking away in passion, determined to help in any way....this would not have occurred 10 years ago...a lost phone would merely be a lost phone....we are encountering a phenomena.
Typically this phrase would apply to many of us who have been unfortunate to lose an item of importance, but not Ivanna.
Clay Shirkey explores the wonders of technology and communication through digital journalism in the article: "It Takes A Village To Find A Phone"
Ivanna leaves her phone, a T-Mobile Sidekick, in a NY cab which is then picked up by another rider. Ivanna, distraught by the mishap, turns to a friend for consoling and help. Evan Guttman, a programmer in the financial industry, offers a reward for the return of the phone via e-mail message that would show on the phone. No luck.....
Ivanna suffers her loss and moves on....purchasing a new phone, transferring the information from the old to the new.....Cha-Ching....JACKPOT! Photos taken and emailed by the thief were transferred to the new phone...we have a culprit: Sasha!
Evan immediately reacts, contacts Sasha, offers a reward......situation resolved right? WRONG! Sasha puts up a fight, lashes out with racial slander and refuses the return of the phone. Bad Call Sasha.....
Evan decides to take the story public, creating a webpage titled StolenSidekick, which he sends to his friends. The webpage sparks conversation and begins to circulate the web, people who are diffused by anger at losing personal belongings, jump in to fight the cause. The police were contacted, yet did nothing to help, stating the phone was considered "lost" rather than "stolen". Evan consistently updates the site with the latest news regarding the phone, fueling readership and dedication among STRANGERS to stand up as one and find a resolution!
Individuals serve as one-person media outlets by discussing the issue on weblogs, mailing lists and various electronic groups. The story spread like wild fire through a forest...flames licking away to quench their thirst....thirst for more, thirst for a cause, thirst for resolution!
The ability to sit a computer, click letters on the keyboard and hit send....spreading viewpoints, opinions, news, rumors..anything the heart desires, for the world to see in a matter of seconds without ever stepping foot outside the door of your home is amazingly breath-taking....
Are there repercussions? Ethical issues that arise? Should Sasha had to endure the sexual innuendos, racial slurs or degradation of her character? Some people would say that she deserved it, others firmly against it. I personally feel that she placed herself into the situation by declining the offer to return the phone, therefore obtaining full responsibility of any feedback...negative, positive or neutral.
While reading the story, I was fascinated with the response that was generated regarding the everyday issue of someone losing their phone. People joined forces, clicking away in passion, determined to help in any way....this would not have occurred 10 years ago...a lost phone would merely be a lost phone....we are encountering a phenomena.
Here, Now & Why......
The Evolution of the Newspaper of the Future by Chris Lapham explores the advancement of the nespaper world into a digital form. I am more than ecstatic to FINALLY read a piece that not only embraces, but promotes the idea of digital journalism.
Many people in society are fearful of change, therefore reject the idea of utilizing the newspaper digitally, stating the realm of the newspaper industry is becoming extinct. Yet, how is retrieving the news from an online source truthfully any different from reading the newspaper? Sure, there is an inability to physically turn the page, while your fingers accumulate the gray ink off the page, SO wouldn't it be easier to simply click what is desired to be read? There is great opportunity within the utilization of the Web as a media source of information, we are able to navigate more than one site at a time, allowing the opportunity to retrieve news in a multitude. Technology in society is changing drastically; we can either embrace the new world, or forever fall behind.....
Ann Arbor News is a great example to support the prediction of a hybrid model as Dr. Tracy forecasted. Ann Arbor News still offers a print version on Thursday and Sunday, yet retains the majority of publication online: CONVERGENCE to the realm of digital journalism! The website allows the reader easy accesibilty to any source of information, with the ability to search engine a specific topic.
Locals of the Ann Arbor area stated feelings of sadness and disbelief as stated in the article posted on the site:http://www.annarbor.com/news/people-saddened-by-closing-of-the-ann-arbor-news/. While reading the article, I noticed bias stated in the article regarding the demographics of the people who were interviewed and quoted. For example, Ed Davidson, owner of Bivouac, a custom outdoor clothing & equipment store, stated: "I curl up in front of the fireplace on Sunday and read the newspaper. My kids curl up in front of the fireplace with their laptops." Davidson confirms the notion that those of an older generation will be hesitant and skeptical of the new age world of journalism, yet younger generations are embracing the changes and allowing the technological advancements to flourish.
I personally feel that the ability to utilize digital journalism has opened the door to so many opportunities that did not exist before. Digital journalism allows an open forum between the journalist and reader, creating a personal relationship that was not explored once before. The ability to communicate freely, openly and at the click of the mouse is astounding!
Many people in society are fearful of change, therefore reject the idea of utilizing the newspaper digitally, stating the realm of the newspaper industry is becoming extinct. Yet, how is retrieving the news from an online source truthfully any different from reading the newspaper? Sure, there is an inability to physically turn the page, while your fingers accumulate the gray ink off the page, SO wouldn't it be easier to simply click what is desired to be read? There is great opportunity within the utilization of the Web as a media source of information, we are able to navigate more than one site at a time, allowing the opportunity to retrieve news in a multitude. Technology in society is changing drastically; we can either embrace the new world, or forever fall behind.....
Ann Arbor News is a great example to support the prediction of a hybrid model as Dr. Tracy forecasted. Ann Arbor News still offers a print version on Thursday and Sunday, yet retains the majority of publication online: CONVERGENCE to the realm of digital journalism! The website allows the reader easy accesibilty to any source of information, with the ability to search engine a specific topic.
Locals of the Ann Arbor area stated feelings of sadness and disbelief as stated in the article posted on the site:http://www.annarbor.com/news/people-saddened-by-closing-of-the-ann-arbor-news/. While reading the article, I noticed bias stated in the article regarding the demographics of the people who were interviewed and quoted. For example, Ed Davidson, owner of Bivouac, a custom outdoor clothing & equipment store, stated: "I curl up in front of the fireplace on Sunday and read the newspaper. My kids curl up in front of the fireplace with their laptops." Davidson confirms the notion that those of an older generation will be hesitant and skeptical of the new age world of journalism, yet younger generations are embracing the changes and allowing the technological advancements to flourish.
I personally feel that the ability to utilize digital journalism has opened the door to so many opportunities that did not exist before. Digital journalism allows an open forum between the journalist and reader, creating a personal relationship that was not explored once before. The ability to communicate freely, openly and at the click of the mouse is astounding!
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