What is the role of the citizen in 21st Century Journalism?

The role of the citizen does not simply stop at the traditional role - the receiver of news. Rather, the new age of Information Technology has vastly altered the face of journalistic practices, extending to common people like you and I, to become journalists our own way. This is referred as 'Citizen Journalism'. As society becomes more resourceful and intelligence (due to rising literacy rate and e-literacy), computers and the Internet can easily become the pen and paper for a writer. A citizen's role becomes enhanced, with the ability to produce news, not only possessing the right to know but the right to compose.

Contemporary, the rise of alternative media alongside with mainstream media platforms in its rightful place, can be largely attributed to the disconnection between journalists and citizens. This separation can be traced all the way back into the 19th century period when printing presses were invented. Newspapers, pamphlets and posters were printed by common people to disseminate information to their neighbours, townsfolk, mostly everyone in the city or within reach. There were no artisans of printing nor ethics - it wasn't a profession, everyone could print whatever they wanted.

Today, journalists remain stoic about their stand regarding codes of ethics, forming an independent occupation with professionalism like doctors, lawyers and engineers. Because of this, the media claims to be the '4th estate' - a watchdog group to keep check of the government and powerful organisations, holding them accountable to the public and citizens.

But are we overlooking something?

Media conglomerates controls the flow of information to the public. Fox, CNN, NBC, CBS are a few major players to name in the news corporations dominating American news. While it is not strange some of these media conglomerates have satellites to transmit news globally, they in turn create American values as hegemony through news.

Since the 21st Century, mainstream journalism has come under fire, sparked off by the World Trade Organisation protests in Seattle. TV programmes and newspapers coverage consisted of sensationalised 'violence' in its front pages and prime time news. In effect, violence was splashed all over mainstream media but no reasons were given to justify what actually happened. It was then people started blogging and providing alternative source of news to the citizens.

Citizen journalism cannot be the answer to the failings of mainstream media. As long as it does not replace the conventional role of media, citizen journalism will only serve as an additional source of information for citizens.

The role of the citizen in the 21st century is no longer the meek and the receiver of news traditionally. With a touch of the keyboard be it on a cellphone or computer, a citizen can deliver news, anywhere, at any time.