Citizen Journalism: An Interview

Sharing you the questions that Laarni Jordan of FEU gave me before follows are my answers on the topic of Citizen Journalism:

I am really looking for bloggers that's why I want to get your opinion. So, I'll list down my questions and just answer it freely. Thank you.

1. What can you say about Citizen Journalism? Can you give a brief description of its definition and aspects involve.- Citizen Journalism is how the audience became the journalist by the use or rich media, internet and other platforms. Ito yung era na kung saan ang dating nanonood lang ay siya mismo ang nagbabahagi ng kanyang mga pananaw, nagbibigay impormasyon base sa kanyang nabasa, napag aralan o narinig, minsan ang Citizen Journalism ay pawang kuro kuro o opinyon lamang ngunit ang pamamaraan na ito ay isa pa ring parte na mas pinalaking pag suporta ng mga audience sa mga namamahayag at karapatan ng pamamahayag ng kanilang nasa isip at natutunan.

2. How do you think the idea of Citizen Journalism started and how was it developed. - Citizen journalism starts where the news stirs the emotions and ideas of the audience who we're basically just an audience who wants to take part on the larger action. Right now there are lots of ways that an audience can participate as citizen journalist, he/she can join a live discussion on certain topic on tv or radio by calling and airing his/her ideas and opinion, sending reports on a fraud election where abs-cbn launces ireport service, and through internet where he can join community boards, forums and blogs where he can air his/her ideas on a given topic.

3. Do you think that Citizen Journalism is just a fad/journalism trend? Do you think it would stay for good? Why or why not? -It can be both ways it can be a fad in the sense that all you want to share is about a certain topic or ideas, it can be philosophical, religious, medical, socio political or entertainment. And journalistic in the sense that you are feeding information that expands data building where others can use it on their info gathering. The question would be is on what way will they use it, there is no such thing as it will last soon or it will take long, but its a matter on how the people utilize the concept and the aim of being a citizen journalist.

4. As I said, Citizen Journalism is known to be popular internationally. What do you think is the status of Citizen Journalism in 3^rd world countries, such as our country, Philippines , where a lot of political and economic matters are big issues? - Pinoys are still the stage where he/she not fully embracing the idea of this kind, still they are in the idea of street parliamentary where they are sanay with the rallies, but in the age of internet and mobile technologies, slowly people who have access in this kind of opportunities takes part of the idea. Ika nga ang mga Pinoy ay maihahalintulad sa isang batang naglalakad pa lang at kailangan gabayan. Pinoys have lots of ideas in their minds but only few has the courage to share it.

5. Well, honestly, Citizen Journalism is practiced in Philippines but a lot of "Citizens" are not aware of it? What do you think are the factors involved? -The concept of Citizen Journalism is not that sink with the ideas of the Pinoys, all they know is that they are just sharing their ideas, opinions and information. Some of them doesn't know that taking part of sharing and data building points to a bigger responsibility co'z the bigger picture is they are not or may be aware because; 1. They don't have knowledge of what responsibility or task they are doing; 2. The don't have idea or not familiar with the concept of Citizen Journalism and; 3. They may have ideas or aware but they doesn't want that kind of social responsibility.

6. What causes people to engage in this practice? Is it pure public concern or there are other meanings behind it? - There are 2 reasons why people engage with the said practice; 1. They have social responsibility and fad of sharing informations and opinions, 2. Other's use it as profit generating like other blogs.

7. The financial benefit is one of the questionable aspects of Citizen Journalism. Do you think that those citizens who engage in such have a financial advantage in doing this? Can you give your point of view in this? - Financial is a very basic aspect that supports citizen journalism, only few have internet access, mobile phones and computers that they can use.

8. How does Citizen Journalism deals with the issue of accuracy? - Citizen Journalist in my opinion in terms of accuracy will just be labeled as supplementary or side info for the bigger news where the networks provide where they are just reflecting what they have heard, watch and read.

9. What do you think would be the effect of Citizen Journalism to institutionalized news agencies who monopolizes the news providing industry? - It will encourage the news agencies with their work knowing that there are people who takes part with their plight on news gathering and presentation.

10. what do you think would be the effect of Citizen Journalism to us who are majoring in the studies of journalism? Are they a threat or help? Explain. - Its a matter of how you are taking them to your system, citizen journalism are those who take parts with the journalist plight, citizen journalist are not threat to the professionals instead treat them as inspiration knowing that they are not professional journalist who swear for social responsibility but still they take responsibility as individual person.

* Thanks to Laarni of FEU for the question I hope it may help her same to those who read, the understatement of this article would be being an individual person we have a role to be a citizen journalist, and some over shadows it as activism, and other's narrow ideas limit the concept of this two as those people who just go out on a rally, being a citizen journalist and activist in more bigger than those they thought we have roles in the society to be catalyst, yesterday I have a healthy debate/discussion with Lattex in twitter and its a good one, I learned from him that let the change start from ourselves, in my case be the start of social catalyst in your own way. Don't be just contented with what you have, in my part yes the Government have the role to uphold the needs of the people who voted them and we blame them to be lax of their responsibility. In Adamsonian.com a student mention that TFI and Sports Writing doesn't mix yes along with water and oil. But there is a fine line that separates to our actions to take part of what is happening in the society or in school rather. It may not directly oppress us, but will we wait for that situation to happen? The answer on the malignancy of the social cancer would be follows: 1. To be aware of what is the present scenario of the society, 2. To be educated of what people needs and how to address it, ignorance excuses no one, and 3. Let actions start from us, if things like this happen, vote wisely, kilatisin ang mga tatakbo sa 2010, parang mga isdang nasa palengke sino ang sariwa at makakatulong at alin ang nabubulok na at bilasa.