citizen journalism

until the other day, the question of citizen journalism had never been a topic of consideration. but i read a profnet that perked my interest as it asked if the future of news (and most likely the print industry) relies on the role of citizen journalism, or the collecting, reporting, analyzing and disseminating of news pro.

so it got me thinking, with the continued evolution of media channels, if in fact citizens seeking the truth and a voice are who hold the future in their hands. i hope not. not because individuals of all backgrounds, educations and experiences shouldn't be able to record the facts of the day, but it could mean that hundreds of thousands of people in the journalist space could be jobless. i mean, can you imagine if people across the country and the world take action. find meaning in the who, what, when, where and why of daily events in their own town.

well, if they do, then these are things to keep in mind--thanks to the huffington post:

1) just stick to the facts, no editorializing.
2) avoid hearsay: verify all sources and claims.
3) omit irrelevant opinion: stick to the events.
4) give credit where credit is due: never plagiarize -- you're asking for trouble!
5) use spellcheck: typos are not allowed and proper grammar is not optional (this isn't creative writing).
6) keep the photos real: you may be a pro in photoshop, but save that for your creative projects -- report the facts and only the facts as you see them.
7) never misrepresent yourself to get the scoop: you loose credibility with your sources and show the utmost disrespect if you do.
8) get your sources on the record: it ups the anti on your coverage, but respect them if they say no. also, know the difference between off the record and on background.
9) fact check your sources: which means having more sources in your back pocket, to make sure the information you receive is correct and the information you share is on point...when it comes to reporting sensitive issues, you have a person or a brand's image in your hands. respect the power you hold.

to find out more, check out this recent article from huffington post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/07/citizen-journalism-publis_n_184075.html