"The news is too important to ignore." So state Bruns and Highfield, (2012) in their article Blogs, Twitter, and breaking news: The produsage of citizen journalism.What's interesting about 'produsers' of social media is that they can either become the news or report the news. Social media has allowed a transformation from top-down traditional journalism ventures to grassroots reportage where everyone can be a reporter. What's of interest is captured quickly and easily and sent to many around the world. Not only does that bring fame to the subject, but to the social media reporter, and sometimes they're one and the same. It's big news when a grassroots news report goes 'viral' or gathers dozens of 'likes'.
Twitter, facebook, Instagram, YouTube - they all lead to social media reporting (Dahlgren, 2012). There is an ease of access like never before, bringing fame and sometimes fortune to many who just happened to be in the right place. Take for example, the Justin Bieber story. He reported his talent himself, on facebook. His 'news' went viral on traditional news stations, like CBC, and well, you know the rest of the story. It might not be readily verifiable other than other eyewitness accounts being spread abroad (Hermida, 2012).
So in many ways, there is a convergence of traditional journalism and social journalism (Hermida, 2012). But how do I get involved with social media news? I'm not sure if belonging to Twitter makes me a newsmaker or not. Am I a part of the news by being involved with adult literacy organizations and campaigning for social awareness? I believe so. I think my voice is being heard, even if it is only to 12 followers. I feel that my news is too important to ignore and just being allowed to get it said is of value. Whether anyone acts on it or not is somewhat, okay probably, out of my control. I think being a 'produser' has completely different boundaries than have traditional journalists.
But they too are using social media to build their stories. And my Tweets just might become a part of the next big story, and so that is keeping me interested in citizen journalism. I have been more active in looking at local issues, such as the fight for and against Light Rail Transit. My social activism for promoting adult literacy is a part of the Twitter news gathering story. What's interesting is that my online social activism becomes a part of the bigger story reported by traditional new media, such as the local newspapers. There is a convergence between old and new in my life and in the community.
This convergence can actually be often be more related to marketing than reporting. Take for instance the wildly popular WestJet Christmas video. It comes across with a social media feel, but in actual fact is a well choreographed piece of marketing. But that's news, isn't it?
References
Bruns, A. & T. Highfield. (2012). Blogs, Twitter, and breaking news: The produsage of citizen journalism. http://bit.ly/QCGZAI
Hermida, A. (2012). TWEETS AND TRUTH: Journalism as a discipline of collaborative verification. Journalism Practice. 6:5-6, p659-668. http://bit.ly/148qwMT
Dahlgren, P. (2012). Reinventing participation: civic agency and the web environment. Geopolitics, History, and International Relations. 4.2, p27. http://bit.ly/18sHjGb
Hermida, A. (2012). TWEETS AND TRUTH: Journalism as a discipline of collaborative verification. Journalism Practice. 6:5-6, p659-668. http://bit.ly/148qwMT
Twitter, facebook, Instagram, YouTube - they all lead to social media reporting (Dahlgren, 2012). There is an ease of access like never before, bringing fame and sometimes fortune to many who just happened to be in the right place. Take for example, the Justin Bieber story. He reported his talent himself, on facebook. His 'news' went viral on traditional news stations, like CBC, and well, you know the rest of the story. It might not be readily verifiable other than other eyewitness accounts being spread abroad (Hermida, 2012).
So in many ways, there is a convergence of traditional journalism and social journalism (Hermida, 2012). But how do I get involved with social media news? I'm not sure if belonging to Twitter makes me a newsmaker or not. Am I a part of the news by being involved with adult literacy organizations and campaigning for social awareness? I believe so. I think my voice is being heard, even if it is only to 12 followers. I feel that my news is too important to ignore and just being allowed to get it said is of value. Whether anyone acts on it or not is somewhat, okay probably, out of my control. I think being a 'produser' has completely different boundaries than have traditional journalists.
But they too are using social media to build their stories. And my Tweets just might become a part of the next big story, and so that is keeping me interested in citizen journalism. I have been more active in looking at local issues, such as the fight for and against Light Rail Transit. My social activism for promoting adult literacy is a part of the Twitter news gathering story. What's interesting is that my online social activism becomes a part of the bigger story reported by traditional new media, such as the local newspapers. There is a convergence between old and new in my life and in the community.
This convergence can actually be often be more related to marketing than reporting. Take for instance the wildly popular WestJet Christmas video. It comes across with a social media feel, but in actual fact is a well choreographed piece of marketing. But that's news, isn't it?
References
Bruns, A. & T. Highfield. (2012). Blogs, Twitter, and breaking news: The produsage of citizen journalism. http://bit.ly/QCGZAI
Hermida, A. (2012). TWEETS AND TRUTH: Journalism as a discipline of collaborative verification. Journalism Practice. 6:5-6, p659-668. http://bit.ly/148qwMT
Dahlgren, P. (2012). Reinventing participation: civic agency and the web environment. Geopolitics, History, and International Relations. 4.2, p27. http://bit.ly/18sHjGb
Hermida, A. (2012). TWEETS AND TRUTH: Journalism as a discipline of collaborative verification. Journalism Practice. 6:5-6, p659-668. http://bit.ly/148qwMT