My understanding of Citizen journalism

Citizen journalism is any person outside of the general media commenting or reporting about current events in a public forum, whether it be through a blog, video uploads, forum threads, tweets(via twitter.com) etc. Citizen journalism is evidently most common on the internet.


The most prominent example in my mind is the Phuket, Thailand Tsunami of 2004. Where local residents and some tourists recorded the devastation of the sudden event as it happened . This method of reporting involves raw first person accounts it is not processed by news programs and gives the viewer a "real" insight to the story, unlike the past tense, third person views that reporter might present

Through my brief research of the topic, I've found that there are other Landmark Moments in Citizen Journalism. It has become a revolutionary way in which the news reaches its listeners. Citizens of war torn countries such as Iraq have begun reporting upon issues and events which have been ignored by the general media, one example being Healing Iraq a blog containing "Daily news and comments on the situation in post Saddam Iraq by an Iraqi dentist."

Citizen Journalism is breaking down barriers in news reception, taking the voice of the "little guy" and giving it a pedestal on which to get their opinions and experiences to a wider audience.


WinstonD

WinstonD on Microcelebrity

Clive Thompson on the Age of Microcelebrity: Why Everyone's a Little Brad Pitt

http://www.wired.com/techbiz/people/magazine/15-12/st_thompson 

"Got a Facebook account? A whackload of pictures on Flickr? Odds are there are complete strangers who know about you — and maybe even talk about you."


Within this article Clive Thompson assesses the phenomenon that is "Microcelebrity" How it has taken an effect on lives and how some people, including himself, handle it. Microcelebrity by definition, if urban dictionary is to be held as a respected source, is "One who gains a cult or mainstream following due to viral internet distribution. Does not refer to those who have gained limited or cult followings through traditional media. Does not refer to has-beens or "B-list" celebrities."


Thompson draws a conclusion through various examples that "If you really want to see the future, check out teenagers and twentysomethings. When they go to a party, they make sure they're dressed for their close-up — because there will be photos, and those photos will end up online." and that in turn means "learning to manage our own identity and "message" almost like a self-contained public relations department."


I, however, disagree. In my own personal experience in the nineteen, almost twenty, years upon this earth I haven't stumbled upon anyone who has consciously made the decision to dress up for an occasion simply based upon the fact that they may have photographs of themselves appear on the internet. 


There is a memory in the back of my mind of when I was around the age of five and my mother and father would dress me up to the nine in my collared shirt and long pants to go to a birthday party. Was this then my parental unit preparing me for my facebook debut? Installing in my sub-conscious the habitual ceremony of composing an image that I would be proud to have appear upon a website on the internet, two concepts that my parents were yet to hear of and to this day have almost no idea how to operate such things? I don't think so.


Microcelebrities do exist, that is something that can't be denied. Though the idea that your regular Joe Blogs makes sure they are picture perfect for every event they attend, in order to  protect their online reputation and potential microcelebrity status, is ridiculous. Anyone who is that concerned about their cyberspace image would have to be a little dim. After all this is a medium that is primarily filled with "Goat play", "Hot blondes with massive tits" and penis enlargement ads. Its a bit trivial isn't it.


WinstonD