IS CITIZEN JOURNALISM A THREAT OR CHALLENGE TO PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISM?

Citizen Journalism can be defined  as the public democratically and actively taking part in the process of gathering and distributing of information.

Citizen journalism enables people without professional journalism training to use the tools of modern technology and the Internet to send information or argue on their own or with others.


There have been various issues and concerns raised about citizen journalism posing as a threat to professional journalism,but in my own view I don't agree with this assertion.

This is because professional journalists strive for objectivity and credibility, but citizen journalists lack that, while some publish anything they hear or see, others also don’t even cross check their facts to ascertain whether they are true or not.

Professional journalists are responsible for the news they write and report on because, they are monitored by their various organizations which have some set of standards that guides them in their work, but citizen journalists are not, as such the extent to which they are responsible for their news could be a little bit dangerous.

 Finally in case of  libel and slander(defamation),a citizen journalist may not have any media house to defend or protect him,but a  professional may have an advantage over that.

In view of all these points raised,it is very much clear that citizen journalism should not posed as a threat to professional journalists,but rather challenge them to do more.