Quote: "Citizen journalism, also known as collaborative media, participatory journalism, democratic journalism, guerrilla journalism or street journalism, is based upon public citizens 'playing an active role in the process of collecting, reporting, analyzing, and disseminating news and information.'"
What equipment and software you need to get started.
Introduction to Citizen Journalism: This includes the definition, history, and the role of citizen journalism in modern society.
Social Media: Understanding the use of social media as a tool for citizen journalism, including how to source information, verify sources, and develop a following.
Digital Storytelling: Techniques and best practices for telling compelling stories using multimedia elements, such as photos, video, audio, and text.
Media Ethics: Understanding the ethical principles that guide responsible journalism, including accuracy, fairness, and impartiality.
Legal Issues: Overview of laws and regulations relevant to citizen journalism, including defamation, privacy, and copyright.
News Writing: The fundamentals of writing news stories, including structure, tone, and style.
Interviewing Skills: Strategies for conducting effective interviews, including preparing questions, active listening, and follow-up.
Research and Investigation: Techniques for gathering and analyzing information from various sources, including public records and documents.
Data Journalism: An introduction to data analysis and visualization tools for exploring and uncovering trends and patterns in data.
FOIA Requests: An overview of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and how to file requests for access to public records.
Photography and Videography: The basics of capturing and editing photos and videos for multimedia storytelling.
Crowdfunding and Freelancing: Techniques for financing and monetizing citizen journalism efforts, including crowdfunding campaigns and freelance work.
Collaboration and Networking: The importance of building relationships and working with other citizen journalists and media organizations to build a community and amplify voices.
Safety and Privacy: Strategies for protecting oneself and sources while reporting and publishing as a citizen journalist in potentially sensitive or dangerous situations.
Tools and Technology: An overview of essential tools for citizen journalism, including hardware, software, and online platforms to aid in reporting, publishing, and sharing stories.
Smartphone: A smartphone is perhaps the most essential tool for citizen journalism, thanks to its versatility and convenience.
Microphone: A separate microphone can be a great investment if you plan on conducting interviews or recording live events.
Camera: A good-quality camera is a must-have for taking photos and videos of news events.
Tripod: A tripod can help stabilize your camera or smartphone while filming, providing a more steady shot.
Voice Recorder: A separate voice recorder can be helpful for capturing audio without having to use your smartphone.
Digital Notepad: A digital notepad can allow you to take notes on-the-go, without having to carry around physical notebooks and pens.
Laptop: A laptop can be useful for editing and uploading content, writing articles, and managing social media accounts.
Internet Connection: A reliable internet connection is necessary for uploading content, conducting research, and staying in touch with followers.
Social Media Accounts: Creating social media accounts is essential for promoting your work and engaging with your audience.
Video Editing Software: Video editing software can help you perfect your footage and create more professional-looking videos.
Audio Editing Software: Audio editing software can help you refine your recordings and make them sound more compelling.
Content Management System: A content management system can help you organize and manage your content, making it easier to find and share.
VPN: A virtual private network (VPN) can help you stay secure and protect your privacy when using public Wi-Fi hotspots.
Cloud Storage: Cloud storage services can allow you to store and backup your files, making it easier to access them from any device.
SEO Tools: SEO tools can help you optimize your content for search engines, making it easier for people to discover and share your work.
Fact-Checking Tools: Fact-checking tools can help you verify the accuracy of information and prevent the spread of misinformation.
Community: Building a community of fellow citizen journalists can provide support, collaboration, and networking opportunities.
Quote: "Courtney C. Radsch defines citizen journalism 'as an alternative and activist form of news gathering and reporting that functions outside mainstream media institutions, often as a response to shortcomings in the professional journalistic field, that uses similar journalistic practices but is driven by different objectives and ideals and relies on alternative sources of legitimacy than traditional or mainstream journalism'."
Quote: "Jay Rosen offers a simpler definition: 'When the people formerly known as the audience employ the press tools they have in their possession to inform one another.'"
Quote: "The underlying principle of citizen journalism is that ordinary people, not professional journalists, can be the main creators and distributors of news."
Quote: "Citizen journalism should not be confused with community journalism or civic journalism, both of which are practiced by professional journalists."
Quote: "New media technology, such as social networking and media-sharing websites, in addition to the increasing prevalence of cellular telephones, have made citizen journalism more accessible to people worldwide."
Quote: "Notable examples of citizen journalism reporting from major world events are, the 2010 Haiti earthquake, the Arab Spring, the Occupy Wall Street movement, the 2013 protests in Turkey, the Euromaidan events in Ukraine, and Syrian Civil War, the 2014 Ferguson unrest and the Black Lives Matter movement."
Quote: "Being that citizen journalism is yet to develop a conceptual framework and guiding principles, it can be heavily opinionated and subjective, making it more supplemental than primary in terms of forming public opinion."
Quote: "Critics of the phenomenon, including professional journalists and news organizations, claim that citizen journalism is unregulated, amateur, and haphazard in quality and coverage."
Quote: "Furthermore, citizen journalists, due to their lack of professional affiliation, are thought to lack resources as well as focus on how best to serve the public."