Citizen Journalism: The new wave

The end of an era

Investigative journalism is dying dead. Its successor: citizen journalism. We cannot say we did not see the demise of investigative journalism approaching. With the accelerating decline of newspapers as a communicative and informative medium, fewer investigative journalists are recruited to provide the masses with expertise reporting. Citizens no longer have to depend on newspapers to uncover scandals and report daily news, but now have access to online blogs and continuous news cycles. Columnist Roy Greenslade is right: journalistic skills cannot be confined any longer to an exclusive elite group.

Introducing something new

Now, a fresh and innovative form of investigative reporting as emerged- one that follows no predefined rules and one that is not boxed into particular categories. Mainstream media can title it as junk journalism or internet journalism but I prefer the title of citizen journalism: specialization of mass communication for the people by the people. Of course, not everyone will agree with my definition. For example, editor and journalist John Burke calls citizen journalists “professional amateur bloggers” who “have a long way to go to do real journalism”.

Embracing change

Are the elite and traditional members of the journalistic world fearful of the outcome of such an open forum of expression? Sure. In journalist Trent Seibert’s article "Newspapers Broke My Heart. Will Citizen Journalism Heal It”, he explains that “with massive layoffs in the newspaper industry – as well as timid leadership in many newsrooms – newspapers and the nightly news are becoming less relevant – and that there are fewer investigative reporters to serve as watchdogs for voters and taxpayers”. Truth be told, citizen journalism is an inevitable progression. My advice: accept it and embrace it.