How can you be part of citizen journalism? Capture and hold them accountable!

“You can’t know everything; allow people through technology to be your eyes and ears.” The simplest phrase to make people understand the essentials of citizen journalism. As a future journalist, I have well understood how news can be easily manipulated. That’s why one of our jobs is to make sure that the information we disseminate is factual and truthful. The best way to make this happen is the use of citizen journalism to gather facts that will help process or correct misinformation that has circulated the globe.

I also have learned how powerful social media is, specifically Twitter. Twitter’s search bar can never be underestimated as it dwells more information shared by internet citizens (netizens). The photos and videos that were shared can easily make the tables turn, precisely the case of Ian Tomlinson. Paul lewis described how the video that was taken has turned into evidence that made the police accountable for Tomlinson’s death and corrected the misinformation the police have disseminated.

Lastly, I have understood the relevance of a citizen journalist today and how an average citizen can be part of it. By just capturing pictures or videos showing details or situations that needed extra attention through the use of our mobile phones, we are considered beneficial in citizen journalism.

As a future writer, I have appreciated how Paul has explained that there is always a factual or verification check for all the data gathered online. I’m very aware that all uploaded information on the internet can’t always be utilized as a journalist’s resources. We know for a fact that it is part of our responsibilities only to disseminate factual evidence and news.