QotW9: Reporting the news

Citizen journalism, also known as "participatory journalism," is the act of citizens "playing an active role in the process of collecting, reporting, analyzing and disseminating news and information" (Citizen Journalism, 2007).

It is when ordinary folks like you and me get down to disseminating news to the general public. The way its done is generally open. We have blogs where individuals write about issues that is happening around them. We also have places like STOMP, to share our stories.

I remember when STOMP first started its massive advertising. They had everyone buzzing. A friend of mine was telling me how anyone can post up news to the website. News is thus, not limited to journalists. Ordinary folks like commuters on the public transport or someone walking down the street can take a photo from their handphones, send it via sms and the information is up. I guess, the ease of reporting the news is one of its attractions. One can contribute news to STOMP via SMS or MMS at 75557, or via email 75557@stomp.com.sg. It is highly accessible and fast.

The word 'participation' is they key idea in the notion of citizen journalism. It is the collection of 'news' that anyone who has access to it can share to the mass. As to whether or not STOMP makes an ideal form of citizen journalism for Singapore, I think it is. STOMP allows it's users the available resources to publish news without the usual red tape. In a way, anyone can be heard. There are instances whereby the reporters and journalists are not present to document what is happening. Those who are present, live to tell the story. With the aid of gadgetry like videos, news travel faster via citizen journalist. Moreover, news coming from the mass is often straight from the person. There is no alteration and often the element of 'truth' remains.

The rise of the citizen journalist will help us listen. The ability of anyone to make the news will give new voice to people who’ve felt voiceless—and whose words we need to hear. They are showing all of us—citizen, journalist, newsmaker—new ways of talking, of learning (Gillmor, 2004).

How would I improve it?

Here's my suggestions for STOMP.

1) The webpage looks a tad cluttered to me. The first thing I see is alot of different 'boxes' with all kind of topics. For example, right now I cannot decide what to look at first. Too many images are flashing at the same time. I am distracted by the images on the side. Imagine the frustration. Perhaps some form of organization will help visitors navigate through the site. Place all the sponsors at the side. News and updates at the top.

2) Discretion should be enforced. Certain topics and pictures need to be viewed and checked by administrators prior to its posting for approriateness. I know this measure would go against the idea of posting your news freely. However, I believe that teenagers make a bulk of the users of STOMP and some topics should not be easily exposed to them. Maybe those issues can be placed under links or prompts like 'Are you over 18?' can be added.

References

Citizen Journalism. (28 March 2007). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved March 29, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizen_journalism

Gillmor, D. (2004, July). We the Media: Grassroots Journalism by the People, for the People. Retrieved March 29, 2007 from http://download.nowis.com/index.cfm?phile=WeTheMedia.html&tipe=text/html