ARTICLE: Prof. Sam Freedman on “citizen journalism”
See essay by Prof. Freedman below - the editor also recommends Prof. Freedman’s new book, “Letters to a Young Journalist.”
CBS Public Eye
March 31, 2006
Outside Voices: Samuel Freedman On The Difference Between The Amateur And The Pro
By Samuel G. Freedman
See full story:To its proponents, citizen journalism represents a democratization of media, a shattering of the power of the unelected elite, a blow against the empire of Big Brother. Citizen journalism does not merely challenge the notion of professionalism in journalism but completely circumvents it. It is journalism according to the ethos of indie rock ‘n’ roll: Do It Yourself.
For precisely such reasons, I despair over the movement’s current cachet. However wrapped in idealism, citizen journalism forms part of a larger attempt to degrade, even to disenfranchise journalism as practiced by trained professionals.
http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2006/03/30/publiceye/entry1458655.shtml
