"The internet is a unique phenomenon that has delivered not just technological innovations but become a conduit for change, accelerating the rate, diversity and circulations of ideas".
There is a whisper going around that citizen journalism isn't "real" journalism. I'm sure there are many "real" journalists out there that would secretly (or not so secretly) agree. And as for blogging? Well, let's not even start about that. But I am inclined to think that while citizen journalism (CJ) may not be "real" journalism, it is definitely real news reporting.
Citizen journalists are called this because they know news when they see it, and they attempt to report on it. Just because they may not have the "skills" or "qualifications" to write a news story correctly, doesn't mean they are not journalists of some form. The hardest part of the news industry isn't reporting the news, it's finding it. What the industry now has is millions of potential eyes and ears stationed is various locations, any of which could find itself in the middle of a breaking news story. Citizen journalists should be seen as an asset, but will never take the place of journalists.
Blogging, however, could never take the place of real journalism. Blogging isn't reporting news. Blogging is a discussion of topics that interest you. It could be reporting on an issue, but it could also be whinging about the crappy public transport system, or re-telling that amazing European backpacking experience you had. But it is not, and never will be, real journalism. Unless, of course, it is done by a journalist, for a newspaper.
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