Journalism and the whole media industry as we know them today are changing dramatically. Through the rapid development of smart phones and the improvement of cameras we are noticing a dramatic change in the way journalism is used and how photojournalism is affected. The usage of “citizen journalism” has increased hundredfold and it is still rising.
In this dissertation I want to take a closer look on this new phenomenon to discover if it is becoming a problem for professional photojournalists and if it affects the way how images are published.
Every professional news agency today has many further sources – such as twitter, Flickr or Facebook - to choose from, which is advantageous on the one hand, but isn’t it a step in a direction that could let professional photojournalism “die”?
But what are the reasons for that? Is it the next logical step in the development of photojournalism or is it “killing” the classical photojournalism, as we know it?
In this dissertation I want to find out how professionals and citizen journalists coexist and what are the possible problems that this relationship could cause.
To understand what citizen journalism is in detail, I want to take a closer look at the three variations that this kind of journalism has for me. To find a precise definition is not easy, as this kind of journalism is relatively new and even sources like Wikipedia don`t find a clear answer.
1. Accidential Journalists
In the broader sense, all eyewitnesses with a smartphone are accidential journalists, as they witness a situation because they pass by.
2. Amateur Journalists
A good example for amateur journalists are bloggers
who might do a lot of research and try to expose hidden issues.
3. Citizen Journalists
Citizens with a clear vision and political or humanistic interests are best suitable for the term “citizen journalist”.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER I – A BRIEF OVERVIEW
IREPORT
RODNEY KING BEATING
CHAPTER II – A COMPARISON
SOCIAL MEDIA CASE STUDY
BE THE FIRST ON THE SITE.
WHO TO TRUST?
CITING WORK
A POSSIBLE DISSIDENT?
CAN A PHONE PHOTO GENERATE SYMPATHY?
TELLING IT THE RIGHT WAY
ETHICAL ASPECTS OF PHOTOJOURNALISM
CHAPTER III – THE INDUSTRY IS CHANGING
PEOPLES EXPECTATION ON IMAGE QUALITY?
FROM AN IMAGE EDITORS VIEW
FROM A READERS VIEW
CONCLUSION
Research Objectives and Themes
This dissertation examines the transformative impact of citizen journalism on the professional media industry, specifically investigating the coexistence and evolving relationship between traditional photojournalists and amateur contributors in an age of ubiquitous smartphone technology.
- The influence of user-generated content on professional newsrooms and staffing decisions.
- Technical and emotional differences between professional photojournalism and amateur mobile photography.
- Ethical challenges regarding source verification, image licensing, and the safety of citizen contributors.
- The changing expectations of audiences and image editors concerning quality and authenticity in visual media.
Excerpt from the Book
Rodney King Beating
As an important evidence for one of the first published eyewitness photography cases, I want to point out the Rodney King beating on 2nd March 1991, which can be seen as the first appearance of citizen journalism.
Citizen journalism, eyewitnesses with cameras, as we know it, was born on exactly this day, when George Holiday, a plumber from Canada, witnessed how 4 police officers from the Los Angeles Police Department beat the Afro-American Rodney King almost to death. Without George Holiday and his camcorder, which he had bought a couple of weeks before and had never used so far, there would have been no evidence for this unlawful action. With him, the first citizen journalist was born. It is very interesting as well, that he seems to combine various different ‘reincarnations’ of “citizen journalism” in one person. He is an “accidental journalist”, as he just passed by and maybe we can say that he became a “citizen journalist” afterwards when he decided that the things he had witnessed were wrong and the media he just recorded hat to get published.
Summary of Chapters
CHAPTER I – A BRIEF OVERVIEW: Introduces the shift in journalism driven by smartphone technology and defines the emergence of the citizen journalist.
CHAPTER II – A COMPARISON: Analyzes the practical differences between professional photojournalists and citizen reporters through case studies and image analysis.
CHAPTER III – THE INDUSTRY IS CHANGING: Explores how audiences and media professionals perceive the value of amateur images compared to professional standards.
Keywords
Citizen Journalism, Photojournalism, Smartphone Photography, Media Industry, Social Media, Ethics, Image Quality, User-Generated Content, Eyewitness, Reliability, Digital Transformation, Professionalism, Credibility, Documentary, News Media
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this dissertation?
The work explores how the rise of citizen journalism, facilitated by mobile technology, impacts the professional field of photojournalism and the traditional media landscape.
What are the central thematic areas discussed?
Key areas include the evolution of news gathering, the technical vs. emotional quality of images, ethical dilemmas in verification, and the changing role of photographers in modern media.
What is the primary research question?
The dissertation aims to discover if the rise of citizen journalism is creating significant problems for professional photojournalists and how these two groups might coexist effectively.
Which methodology is employed in this research?
The author uses a qualitative approach, combining literature review with case study analysis (e.g., the Rodney King incident and the Arabic Uprising) and comparative analysis of specific photographic works.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main section investigates the definition of citizen journalists, compares professional and amateur work through technical and emotional lenses, and discusses the shift in industry expectations regarding imagery.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
The core themes are best represented by terms like Citizen Journalism, Photojournalism, Media Ethics, Smartphone Photography, and Digital News Production.
How did the author distinguish between an accidental and a professional photographer?
The author argues that while both can capture an event, the professional is distinguished by their ability to provide a "complete story" and a deeper context, whereas the amateur often focuses solely on capturing the moment.
What did the author conclude about the future of professional photojournalism?
The author concludes that while competition is increasing, professional quality and ethical responsibility remain a valuable and necessary market that cannot be fully replaced by amateur mobile snapshots.
- Citation du texte
- Martin Förster (Auteur), 2013, The Media Industry is changing. The coexistence of Professional photojournalism and citizen journalism and its problems, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/276250
