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Friday, December 14, 2007
Dan Gillmor Strikes Again
It's refreshing to read an articulate defense of citizen journalism from someone with legitimate Old Media cred.
The relationship between "citizen media" and "traditional media" is complicated and evolving. I think it's an exciting time to be a professional journalist. It's important for us to be engaged in the evolution of our craft.
But I still see many traditional media-types — in both the mainstream and the alternative press — instinctively take a defensive stance every time the subject comes up. I think they have some legitimate concerns, but I often see those concerns obscured by anger and fear. It's disheartening. And frustrating.
Thanks, Dan, for having an open mind, and for being a kindred spirit.
December 14, 2007 at 08:55 AM in Media/Keeping an eye on the competition | Permalink
Comments
I think your link might be wrong.
Posted by: bill simmon | Dec 14, 2007 10:30:21 AM
Yep, indeed it was.
Thanks, Bill.
Posted by: Cathy Resmer | Dec 14, 2007 11:28:47 AM
Only tangentially related, but just saw this on the NYTimes: http://www.nytimes.com/idg/IDG_002570DE00740E18C12573B10046E582.html
Apparently, Google is trying to refine Wikipedia's citizen-encyclopedia model with bylined articles. In beta, they're starting with invited contributors.
Posted by: Lisa Crean | Dec 14, 2007 12:20:01 PM
In the world of professional media, it's getting harder and harder to find true journalism. I think the higher up the ladder you go, the less you find; you reach a point where it's merely product. Personally, I think the best, true journalism to be found is at the local level. No one is without their bias, but the antidote for that is disclosure. Once you disclose your biases, the reader/viewer/listener can receive the information and filter it accordingly and be satisfied. I think that holds true for amateur hacks like myself or the pros. I'll tell you one thing, I have way more respect for the likes of a Cathy Resmer than say a Wolf Blitzer.
Posted by: TheFatBaldMarriedGuy | Dec 15, 2007 12:35:19 PM
It comes back to what the market will support. Will citizen journalists posting stories and photos be enough to satisfy people's need for information, or will consumers still support journalism in its thorough and investigative forms? I don't think anyone knows for sure and there's probably a place for both. But as you point out in your last post about editorial layoffs, Cathy, it takes time to do the work of an investigative journalist. Business people will only pay reporters to do it if there is a market for their work. If not, it may evolve into an endowment for the arts type model, as has been suggested.
Posted by: J Starr | Dec 15, 2007 1:20:21 PM
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