Citizen journalism, blogging, forums and more has overwhelmed the traditional media in the 21st century.
According to the reading in Chapter 4 - Citizen Journalism & Audience-Generated Content, it is understood that blogging is not journalism. So, what really is journalism?
Journalism is a professional discipline which requires extensive amount of research and prudence in its execution. Journalists are required to remove, proof-read, edit, eliminate, package and disseminate news and information objectively while blogging is the exact opposite. Bloggers are not required to follow journalistic values and blogging are usually self- opinionated ramblings, which are often incoherent and prejudiced with little regard for accurateness or balance.
Despite its subjective nature, blogs are becoming a form of mainstream media. Caroline McCarthy, journalist of CNet.com pointed out that Web giant, Google launched a virtual fashion portal, Boutique.com and, together with fashion personalities, the IT Company brought on board fashion bloggers to curate the fashion scene (CNet.com,2010).
It is noted that Boutiques.com allows both bloggers and enlisted fashion celebs to construct and form "boutiques" of merchandises for consumption. Aside from inviting traditional media journalists, Google acknowledge the influence of high-profile style bloggers. Google has also addressed the desires of the large number of virtual fashion hopefuls who are interested to go public with their fashion style, producing their own content through blogging.
No doubt, the inception of fashion bloggers alongside the ‘traditional’ superstars has demonstrated how great this innovative class of public personality has come forth. Google has proven that braided journalism, the intertwining of traditional journalism and citizen journalism can come together as one.
So, is braided journalism the new future?
References
McCarthy, C. (2010). Google launches Boutiques.com. Viewed on 28 May 2010. <http://news.cnet.com/>.
Firstly, I think you have jumped the gun by saying 'blogging is not journalism'. The world is evolving due to the rise of technology and very quickly as well. It is true bloggers do not have to conform strictly to journalistic standards of packaging and objective-reporting. However, prominent bloggers have proven that they can critically assess situations and issues without being one-sided. In fact, their standard is comparable to those found in mainstream media. Hence your statement '...blogging are usually self- opinionated ramblings, which are often incoherent and prejudiced with little regard for accurateness or balance...' is indeed very inaccurate.
ReplyDeleteIn addition, even the Straits Times have social media editors who has accounts on every major social media platform (Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr). Is his blog then not considered journalism if he is being paid as a journalist to blog?
A very detailed description of the essence of journalism here.
ReplyDeleteJournalism is subjective - what can be viewed as informational gold to one person might be uncredible rumours to another - but the scene is changing right now as more and more media practitioners take to the Internet to air their opinions without having to be confined under their company/employer's restrictions.
I used to have the same notion that real journalists are those whose names appear on the newspaper but right now, the world is changing with technology empowering a lot of people and I'm glad to see the journalism community embracing these changes positively :D
I would say that blogging is a form of journalism but maybe a less professional one. Journalism can come in many forms, just like the different sections we read in the newspaper daily. Yes bloggers are not professionals, and most have not went through professional journalism training, but the basis of journalism is to report?
ReplyDeleteNowadays blogs and bloggers are being used in many different ways, from the traditional diary keeping, to commenting on others and even product selling. This shows that blogging is somehow an effective form of media in reaching out to others
yo jo!
ReplyDeletei believe that it is hard for journalism to be of high credibility through social media. Like you have mentioned, blogs are far less credible as compared to the real news sites and sources due to the fact that people are often incorporating their feelings and opinions into an issue discussed in their blogs. Well, blogs are meant for an online personal diary anyway isn't it?! but i feel that the real threat of the blog journalism is that some, especially those who aspire to be famous blogstars or under spotlights, post irresponsible and insensitive comments soley to seek for attention. I guess you would have realised that many PROFESSIONAL BLOGGERS, or so they may claim so, are vying for attentions, like, by hook or by crook.