For her final project for the semester Digitella had to choose one citizen media site to review. Prof. Lineon suggested Reporter.co.za. "It's a good example of an entire site that is dedicated to citizen media. All the content - videos, audio and photographs - are produced by the readers," she told Digitella after their morning lecture. "Visit the site and talk to some people who have used it and what they think. It could make an interesting blog ..." she said with a wink.
Digitella thought about her assignment the entire morning and was still thinking about it when she went to fetch her laptop - that was finally fixed - from Chip.
"You look miles away," Chip said, handing Digitella her laptop.
"Just thinking about this site, Reporter.co.za," she said.
"Oh yeah, I know that site," he said.
Digitella was surprised, "How do you know about it?"
"I've registered and even had some stuff published," he said, proudly with a smile on his oil-smudged face.
"Oooh, how does it work?" Digitella asked.
"It's pretty simple really. All you do is go to the site and register - it's free and once you've registered you can get stuff published."
"No offence, Chip but you're not the best writer ..." Digitella started.
"Oh, no I know but once you've registered as a member you have access to the Reporter virtual newsroom where you will be mentored by a team of highly experienced journalists, like yourself, with skills ranging from reporting to editing to web production and design." he said. "There are also lots of resources on the site to help me write better. There's a story guidelines section, and a Reporter Zone, which is a special section on the site especially for citizens who want to write," he said. "I also get to have articles published online for people all over the world to read and I get paid for it too," he smiled.
"How much do you generally get paid?"
"It's pretty small, all content is graded different categories like Gold (for the homepage), Silver (top of various sections) and Bronze. These carry a payment fee of R35, R20 and R15 per published contribution."
"How does the payment process work?" Digitella asked.
"Well, you just give your banking details and a certified copy of your SA ID - but it's totally secure" he said, noting Digitella's sceptical expression.
Later that afternoon Digitella ran into Tek while he was his way to the news office. "What do you know about Reporter.co.za?" she asked.
"It's a Johnnic Communications publication and has been modelled on the Ohmynews site. It's been quite successful so far. I mean in the first month, there were over 2500 reporters registered on the site," Tek said. "I think the jury is still out as to whether its going to be successful or not, but I believe there is a space for citizen media in South Africa, and it is the first site of its kind, so I think it has a sporting chance."
Digitella went home to write her blog on her fixed laptop - only time would tell if Reporter.co.za would start a new trend in South African journalism.
Showing posts with label citizen_media. Show all posts
Showing posts with label citizen_media. Show all posts
Tuesday, 04 September 2007
Tuesday, 21 August 2007
Episode 9 - The one where Digitella visits the Times
Digitella and her journalism class were visiting The Times in Joburg for a week - the idea was to produce multimedia packages with The Times online news team. There was a lull on the second day, and Digitella was aware that her blog needed to be updated, so she decided to review the Sunday Times website and its implementation of citizen media. She found a computer in a quiet corner and started writing her blog:
"The slogan of the The Times Online website is 'Interact with us'. In terms of its Web 2.0 applications, The Times is ahead of the rest. RSS feeds, a Facebook group and hyperlocal services such as online competitions, weather forecasts and dating services try bring online users to the site and entice them to stay.
But, what is The Times online doing about the rise of citizen media and just how are they tapping into this ever-increasing phenomenon? Other than a half-hearted link to fellow Johncom colleague Reporter.co.za, there isn't anything on the Times site that encourages user-generated content. Here are just a few ideas on how The Times can exploit the potentiality of their online medium by including content created by users:
Citizen blogs - The Times site hosts a number of blogs but they are all either by editors, journalists or well-known print columnists. Offering a blogging option for users who subscribe may be a good way to hear what are on the minds of SA citizens.
User photo/ video galleries - The Mail and Guardian has set up a reader's photo gallery where users can submit photographs that they have taken. The Times could incorporate a system similar to this one quite easily.
Citizen articles - The Times could set up a section of their website that invites users to submit stories and articles on issues and events that they find relevant. Not only will this allow citizens to have their say, but it could also give Times journalists an idea of what the people they are catering for are actually interested in.
By adding a few of these citizen media elements, The Times will be able to truly live up to their slogan - 'Interact with us'"
Digitella had just finished her blog entry when she was called back to the bustling online newsroom.
"The slogan of the The Times Online website is 'Interact with us'. In terms of its Web 2.0 applications, The Times is ahead of the rest. RSS feeds, a Facebook group and hyperlocal services such as online competitions, weather forecasts and dating services try bring online users to the site and entice them to stay.
But, what is The Times online doing about the rise of citizen media and just how are they tapping into this ever-increasing phenomenon? Other than a half-hearted link to fellow Johncom colleague Reporter.co.za, there isn't anything on the Times site that encourages user-generated content. Here are just a few ideas on how The Times can exploit the potentiality of their online medium by including content created by users:
By adding a few of these citizen media elements, The Times will be able to truly live up to their slogan - 'Interact with us'"
Digitella had just finished her blog entry when she was called back to the bustling online newsroom.
Tuesday, 14 August 2007
Episode 8 - The one where Digitella discusses hyperlocal media
Chip McMac had been very helpful over the past week, trying to get Digitella’s laptop fixed but when she went to him early on Monday morning, her precious laptop was still broken.
“I’m sorry, Digitella, it's going to take at least another week to fix.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Digtella sighed. “I have a mobile phone for the time being,” she held up Tek's Nokia.
“I thought you were having trouble with it,” he said, remembering her moans about not being able to upload her blog entry.
“I’ve finally got the hang of it. It isn’t that hard. In fact, I’ve been using it to work on my latest entry and it’s going well,” she said.
“What you blogging about this week?"
“Hyperlocal citizen media sites," Digitella said, trying not to notice Chip hacking at her laptop’s hard drive.
“What are hyperlocal citizen media sites?” he asked.
“They are community-based websites that publish current news, events and issues that are relevant to a particular community or neighbourhood of people.”
“What does that have to do with the citizen journalism thingy you are supposed to be covering?” Chip asked.
“The content is produced completely by the people of that community. They write the articles, upload pictures and video. They start debates through forums, and blogs and can discuss issues online through discussion boards,” said Digitella. “The idea comes from principles suggested by the Habermasian public sphere – citizens are not seen as passive consumers of news, but active participants. This site allows people to share their ideas.”
“Even me?” Chip asked, cheekily.
“Yes, even you,” Digitella smiled.
“What’s so important about these hyperlocal sites?”
“It has to do with democracy. A report I read argues that society has become more and more disconnected and that is why there has been a decrease in democratic participation. People aren’t reading national newspapers anymore because they don’t feel that what is published is relevant to them and so they do not take part in political debates and discussions.
“Another great thing about these sites is that they can help traditional journalists like myself tap into community issues. We aren’t always able to see the problems and issues of a community.”
“Wow, sounds like you’re doing a bit of PR for these sites, hey?” Chip said.
“Yeah, well, there are issues with the sites naturally – ethics etc. But, that’s for a different blog,” Digitella said.
“Good luck with it,” Chip waved good bye with his screwdriver.
“Feels like I’ve already written it,” Digitella said.
tune in next week when Digitella visits the Sunday Times in Joburg
“I’m sorry, Digitella, it's going to take at least another week to fix.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Digtella sighed. “I have a mobile phone for the time being,” she held up Tek's Nokia.
“I thought you were having trouble with it,” he said, remembering her moans about not being able to upload her blog entry.
“I’ve finally got the hang of it. It isn’t that hard. In fact, I’ve been using it to work on my latest entry and it’s going well,” she said.
“What you blogging about this week?"
“Hyperlocal citizen media sites," Digitella said, trying not to notice Chip hacking at her laptop’s hard drive.
“What are hyperlocal citizen media sites?” he asked.
“They are community-based websites that publish current news, events and issues that are relevant to a particular community or neighbourhood of people.”
“What does that have to do with the citizen journalism thingy you are supposed to be covering?” Chip asked.
“The content is produced completely by the people of that community. They write the articles, upload pictures and video. They start debates through forums, and blogs and can discuss issues online through discussion boards,” said Digitella. “The idea comes from principles suggested by the Habermasian public sphere – citizens are not seen as passive consumers of news, but active participants. This site allows people to share their ideas.”
“Even me?” Chip asked, cheekily.
“Yes, even you,” Digitella smiled.
“What’s so important about these hyperlocal sites?”
“It has to do with democracy. A report I read argues that society has become more and more disconnected and that is why there has been a decrease in democratic participation. People aren’t reading national newspapers anymore because they don’t feel that what is published is relevant to them and so they do not take part in political debates and discussions.
“Another great thing about these sites is that they can help traditional journalists like myself tap into community issues. We aren’t always able to see the problems and issues of a community.”
“Wow, sounds like you’re doing a bit of PR for these sites, hey?” Chip said.
“Yeah, well, there are issues with the sites naturally – ethics etc. But, that’s for a different blog,” Digitella said.
“Good luck with it,” Chip waved good bye with his screwdriver.
“Feels like I’ve already written it,” Digitella said.
tune in next week when Digitella visits the Sunday Times in Joburg
Tuesday, 07 August 2007
Episode 7 - The one where digitella goes mobile
Digitella’s laptop was broken. Old family friend and computer technician, Chip McMac said it would take a few weeks to fix. “How am I going to write my blog?” she wondered, as she entered the news room. She could probably use the lab computers, but Tek had other ideas.
“This is perfect,” he said when she told him about her laptop. On seeing Digitella’s confused expression, he decided to explain.
“The Africa Interactive Media Foundation and Dutch-based citizen journalism website Skoeps recently launched a mobile phone project – Voices of Africa. Basically, journalists in four African countries – Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique and South Africa are using cellphone technology to report news.” He handed her his Nokia 30100. “What better way to blog about the issue then by using a phone.”
Digitella looked down at her new mode of communication with its small screen. This was going to be interesting …
“Citizen journalism is not a new phenomenon. It began in the late 1980s when newspaper editors started recruiting citizens to give their own points of view on current events and issues. The rise of the Internet and its popular catch-phrase of “access to the people” have led to a huge rise in citizen participation. Blogs, and user-generated content sites like Youtube, and Flickr that allow people to upload videos and images onto the Internet are just a few examples of how ordinary citizens are contributing to mass media.
This is all well and good in countries like the UK and the United States, where bandwidth costs are low and 1 in 3 people have Internet access. In Africa, however, the majority of people do not have access to computers and the only way of getting onto the Internet is through Internet cafes. As of June this year, despite huge development projects and independent funding, Africa still only makes up 3% of the total Internet user population in the world. So what does that mean for citizen journalism?
African citizens do not have the tools to participate in the mass media, which results in one-sided and undemocratic journalistic practice. There is light at the end of the tunnel, however. While computer and Internet access leaves much to be desired on the African continent, cell phones are becoming increasingly popular and media analyst Peter Feuilherade argues that cell phones are penetrating where TV, newspapers and the Internet cannot.
Enter the Voices of Africa Project. The project began in May and reporters in four countries will use cell phones to upload text, video and photos to website Africanews. Hopefully, this will lead to Africans being able to take part in discussions about Africa, providing Africans with a voice. Like all things technological, it’s not all moonshine and roses. There are a few issues to this ambitious project:
Using a cellphone to upload information to the Internet is only possible if the cellphone and the area the cellphone user is in supports wireless communication protocol General Packet Radio System (GPRS). Not all African countries have GPRS.
The project is aimed specifically at reporters, and not ordinary African citizens – are the right voices being heard?
African citizens do not have the same skills as reporters and will need to be trained in how to properly use cellphones to upload information and take part in online discussions about important issues to fully exploit the medium.
In spite of all this, it is exciting that steps are being made to ensure that Africans are also considered part of the citizen journalism arena and that we too have a voice worthy of being heard.”
Digitella typed the last few letters, smiling to herself. There was just one problem – how was she going to upload her post?
“This is perfect,” he said when she told him about her laptop. On seeing Digitella’s confused expression, he decided to explain.
“The Africa Interactive Media Foundation and Dutch-based citizen journalism website Skoeps recently launched a mobile phone project – Voices of Africa. Basically, journalists in four African countries – Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique and South Africa are using cellphone technology to report news.” He handed her his Nokia 30100. “What better way to blog about the issue then by using a phone.”
Digitella looked down at her new mode of communication with its small screen. This was going to be interesting …
“Citizen journalism is not a new phenomenon. It began in the late 1980s when newspaper editors started recruiting citizens to give their own points of view on current events and issues. The rise of the Internet and its popular catch-phrase of “access to the people” have led to a huge rise in citizen participation. Blogs, and user-generated content sites like Youtube, and Flickr that allow people to upload videos and images onto the Internet are just a few examples of how ordinary citizens are contributing to mass media.
This is all well and good in countries like the UK and the United States, where bandwidth costs are low and 1 in 3 people have Internet access. In Africa, however, the majority of people do not have access to computers and the only way of getting onto the Internet is through Internet cafes. As of June this year, despite huge development projects and independent funding, Africa still only makes up 3% of the total Internet user population in the world. So what does that mean for citizen journalism?
African citizens do not have the tools to participate in the mass media, which results in one-sided and undemocratic journalistic practice. There is light at the end of the tunnel, however. While computer and Internet access leaves much to be desired on the African continent, cell phones are becoming increasingly popular and media analyst Peter Feuilherade argues that cell phones are penetrating where TV, newspapers and the Internet cannot.
Enter the Voices of Africa Project. The project began in May and reporters in four countries will use cell phones to upload text, video and photos to website Africanews. Hopefully, this will lead to Africans being able to take part in discussions about Africa, providing Africans with a voice. Like all things technological, it’s not all moonshine and roses. There are a few issues to this ambitious project:
In spite of all this, it is exciting that steps are being made to ensure that Africans are also considered part of the citizen journalism arena and that we too have a voice worthy of being heard.”
Digitella typed the last few letters, smiling to herself. There was just one problem – how was she going to upload her post?
Tuesday, 31 July 2007
Episode 6 - The one where Digitella challenges credibility
The following morning, Prof Lineon stopped Digitella as she was walking down the corridor. “Interesting post last night,” she smiled. “You say that professional/ mainstream journalists offer credibility to the media – does this mean that mainstream journalists are more credible than citizen journalists?”
“Absolutely!” Digitella said, emphatically, standing up for her future colleagues.
“I suggest doing a little more research on the topic before making a decision,” Prof Lineon gave Digitella a knowing look over her wire-rimmed glasses, before walking off.
That afternoon, Digitella and Mo sat down to search the Net and Digitella could not believe what they found … later that day she wrote:
“In my last entry I said that professional journalists would only be under threat from citizen journalists if they failed to be credible reporters – well, we have been warned.
Over the past few years, the South African mainstream media industry has been bombarded with plagiarism lawsuits, article fabrication and misleading headline allegations. Here are just a few:
• Elle magazine editor Cynthia Vongai plagiarised an article originally published (ironically) on a website: askmen,com.
• Sunday Times reporter Ranjeni Munusamy leaked a story to the City Press, alleging that Head of National Public Prosecutions Bulelani Ngcuka was a spy – the editor then ran an article with the headline: “Was Ngcuka a spy?”
• A Daily Sun reporter fabricated a front-page hijacking story
• The Cape Times and Business Day fired columnists for plagiarism.
Each of these incidents has led to the gradual decline in professional journalist credibility. One reporter has gone so far as to say that he no longer reads mainstream media, and relies on blogs, and other independent citizen –run news sites as sources of information. Perhaps, said reporter is being a bit melodramatic. There are still many flaws in citizen journalism, especially online. The vastness of the Internet and the lack of any kind of filtering system allow anyone to post information and label it as citizen journalism.
Without any formal codes of conduct to live by, truth and credibility are often missing in citizen journalism. But, in an online interview, co-editor of the independent news site scoop.co.nz, Selwyn Manning says that citizen journalism is not necessarily untruthful. In fact, he proposes an interesting theory that citizen journalism has developed because people have started to realise that they can’t trust everything they read in newspapers, or watch on television.
Perhaps then it is professional journalism’s very lack of credibility that has led to the rise of citizen journalism – without a need to question what is said in mainstream media and to report on issues otherwise ignored by professional journalists there would be no need for citizen journalism … it’s an interesting thought.
The bottom line is – professional journalists better start playing the credibility game by checking facts, living up to professional codes of conduct, viewing all sides of an issue, and not being swayed by advertisers or government officials. If not, professional journalists stand to come a close second to citizen reporters.”
Digitella felt disheartened as she posted her entry. Sipping her coffee, she could only wonder what her future may be …
“Absolutely!” Digitella said, emphatically, standing up for her future colleagues.
“I suggest doing a little more research on the topic before making a decision,” Prof Lineon gave Digitella a knowing look over her wire-rimmed glasses, before walking off.
That afternoon, Digitella and Mo sat down to search the Net and Digitella could not believe what they found … later that day she wrote:
“In my last entry I said that professional journalists would only be under threat from citizen journalists if they failed to be credible reporters – well, we have been warned.
Over the past few years, the South African mainstream media industry has been bombarded with plagiarism lawsuits, article fabrication and misleading headline allegations. Here are just a few:
• Elle magazine editor Cynthia Vongai plagiarised an article originally published (ironically) on a website: askmen,com.
• Sunday Times reporter Ranjeni Munusamy leaked a story to the City Press, alleging that Head of National Public Prosecutions Bulelani Ngcuka was a spy – the editor then ran an article with the headline: “Was Ngcuka a spy?”
• A Daily Sun reporter fabricated a front-page hijacking story
• The Cape Times and Business Day fired columnists for plagiarism.
Each of these incidents has led to the gradual decline in professional journalist credibility. One reporter has gone so far as to say that he no longer reads mainstream media, and relies on blogs, and other independent citizen –run news sites as sources of information. Perhaps, said reporter is being a bit melodramatic. There are still many flaws in citizen journalism, especially online. The vastness of the Internet and the lack of any kind of filtering system allow anyone to post information and label it as citizen journalism.
Without any formal codes of conduct to live by, truth and credibility are often missing in citizen journalism. But, in an online interview, co-editor of the independent news site scoop.co.nz, Selwyn Manning says that citizen journalism is not necessarily untruthful. In fact, he proposes an interesting theory that citizen journalism has developed because people have started to realise that they can’t trust everything they read in newspapers, or watch on television.
Perhaps then it is professional journalism’s very lack of credibility that has led to the rise of citizen journalism – without a need to question what is said in mainstream media and to report on issues otherwise ignored by professional journalists there would be no need for citizen journalism … it’s an interesting thought.
The bottom line is – professional journalists better start playing the credibility game by checking facts, living up to professional codes of conduct, viewing all sides of an issue, and not being swayed by advertisers or government officials. If not, professional journalists stand to come a close second to citizen reporters.”
Digitella felt disheartened as she posted her entry. Sipping her coffee, she could only wonder what her future may be …
Tuesday, 24 July 2007
Episode 5 - The one where Digitella talks credibility
Digitella’s Monday morning journalism lecture seemed to drag on for light years. When the bell finally rang, she made a run for the door, but was stopped by her lecturer, Prof Lineon.
“I hear you are blogging about citizen journalism,” she said, logging off her computer. “As a student getting a degree in journalism, I was interested to hear your thoughts on this article.”
Prof. Lineon pulled a sheet of printing paper out of her desk drawer. “Do you feel threatened by everyday people on the street who are now able to do what you do for less money?”
Digitella scanned the article and later that afternoon, frantically sat down to write:
“Over the past few weeks that I have begun to immerse myself in the world of citizen media and all it has to offer, I never for one moment questioned what the rise of citizen reporters would mean for my future career as a professional journalist.
In an article for Bizcommunity.com, Chris Moerdyk writes that news media owners can take advantage of this recent wave of citizen journalism and cut ever-increasing costs by slashing editorial staff numbers and using content produced by unqualified, citizens. After all, why should media owners pay staff R3.50 a word, when there are millions of people who are willing to share their content for free?
Well then, what about me? Is getting a degree in journalism a complete waste? Will the role of professional journalists one day be obsolete?
My guess is – not likely.
Yes, citizen journalists come cheaper; yes they may very well be better writers and photographers than those brandishing honours degrees. But, why then are professional journalists still more trustworthy than blogs and user-generated content? Why do citizen media sites like Digitaljournal have a small editorial staff of professional journalists who check articles before they are published?
The answer is - credibility.
I believe what citizen journalists lack is an understanding of the media they are working with and how to best report on an issue. Over the past few months, I have been taught that reporting should be fair, accurate, and balanced. It should be unbiased and present issues in such a way so that people can make up their own minds. It is these qualities that give professional journalists credibility.
But, what exactly is credibility? The dictionary defines it as “the quality of being believable or trustworthy". For a media producer it means, among other things, getting all sides of a story, and checking the facts.
I do feel that citizen journalists can pose a threat to professional journalists, but only if professionals fail to be credible reporters of news.
In a recent presentation, Dan Gillmor says that “[journalists] must maintain core principles, including fairness, accuracy, and thoroughness. These … are essential if professional journalism expects to survive.”
The rise of cheap citizen journalists does not make me nervous, but it does make me aware that I need to work harder at establishing credibility through reporting that is fair, accurate and balanced.”
Digitella posted her entry with the feeling that she had just opened a can of worms …
Next week, Digitella delves deeper into the crevices of the professional/ citizen journalist debate.
“I hear you are blogging about citizen journalism,” she said, logging off her computer. “As a student getting a degree in journalism, I was interested to hear your thoughts on this article.”
Prof. Lineon pulled a sheet of printing paper out of her desk drawer. “Do you feel threatened by everyday people on the street who are now able to do what you do for less money?”
Digitella scanned the article and later that afternoon, frantically sat down to write:
“Over the past few weeks that I have begun to immerse myself in the world of citizen media and all it has to offer, I never for one moment questioned what the rise of citizen reporters would mean for my future career as a professional journalist.
In an article for Bizcommunity.com, Chris Moerdyk writes that news media owners can take advantage of this recent wave of citizen journalism and cut ever-increasing costs by slashing editorial staff numbers and using content produced by unqualified, citizens. After all, why should media owners pay staff R3.50 a word, when there are millions of people who are willing to share their content for free?
Well then, what about me? Is getting a degree in journalism a complete waste? Will the role of professional journalists one day be obsolete?
My guess is – not likely.
Yes, citizen journalists come cheaper; yes they may very well be better writers and photographers than those brandishing honours degrees. But, why then are professional journalists still more trustworthy than blogs and user-generated content? Why do citizen media sites like Digitaljournal have a small editorial staff of professional journalists who check articles before they are published?
The answer is - credibility.
I believe what citizen journalists lack is an understanding of the media they are working with and how to best report on an issue. Over the past few months, I have been taught that reporting should be fair, accurate, and balanced. It should be unbiased and present issues in such a way so that people can make up their own minds. It is these qualities that give professional journalists credibility.
But, what exactly is credibility? The dictionary defines it as “the quality of being believable or trustworthy". For a media producer it means, among other things, getting all sides of a story, and checking the facts.
I do feel that citizen journalists can pose a threat to professional journalists, but only if professionals fail to be credible reporters of news.
In a recent presentation, Dan Gillmor says that “[journalists] must maintain core principles, including fairness, accuracy, and thoroughness. These … are essential if professional journalism expects to survive.”
The rise of cheap citizen journalists does not make me nervous, but it does make me aware that I need to work harder at establishing credibility through reporting that is fair, accurate and balanced.”
Digitella posted her entry with the feeling that she had just opened a can of worms …
Next week, Digitella delves deeper into the crevices of the professional/ citizen journalist debate.
Tuesday, 05 June 2007
Episode 4 - The one where Digitella tackles online advertising
Digitella left Tek’s office, clutching her backpack and thinking about their conversation. She wasn’t sure it was so easy to let the blog/ journalism debate go, but for now she had to. She did believe that there were more important issues to look at – but what?
“How much are you going to worship me?” Mo said, tapping Digitella on the shoulder. Shoving her wide-rimmed glasses up her nose, Mo handed Digitella a printed piece of paper. Digitella read it and laughed. “Wow, my dear, you are fabulous! How do you find this stuff?”
“Just call me Moogle!” she giggled, skipping down the corridor.
Digitella found a shady spot on one of the campus lawns and eagerly pulled her laptop out from her backpack:
“We are all under the impression that citizen journalists don’t make much money – especially online citizen journalists. Unless you sell your content to news sites like Reporter.co.za or Ohmynews (whose pay won’t even cover the cost of your dial-up connection) you probably won’t make any money. Blogs, especially, are notoriously non-profitable.
But, wait … there have been hushed whispers and stirrings in the SA advertising world. It seems that advertisers have finally cottoned on to the fact that online media is popular and that more and more people are going online (people with money to spend that is).
I just read an article that said in the past two months aggregator site Amatomu has registered 350 000 outbound clicks to SA blogs – impressive. But, that wasn’t what caught my eye. Apparently, the company is planning to establish an advertising network that will share revenues with top blogs. Maher says that Amatomu wants to bring advertising to the blogosphere … Hmmm. Do I smell more trouble for traditional media?
An article I recently read says that Google currently has SA’s biggest market share in terms of online advertising. Its easy-to-use advertising model lets small-fry advertisers who can’t afford to place ads in big media advertise via Google on small websites and blogs. Google coughs up money every time a person clicks on an ad they are carrying. This lets bloggers make a few rands off their sites and with hundreds of thousands of registered blogs in SA, the amount of revenue generated could be HUGE. This could mean bad news for traditional media.
The bulk of traditional media’s money comes from advertising and if advertisers are going to take their money online, newspapers and magazines are in for a rough ride. This is just one more reason for traditional media organisations to tap into online media – and fast. In my opinion, if newspapers do not want to lose their advertising they need to create a website (even if it is a tad archaic), just to get their foot in the door and to hold on for dear life to their very life source. We can’t ignore the digital age any more – money is power and the power is slowly shifting.
Wake up.”
Digitella posted the entry and found herself humming the lyrics from an old song … “It’s all about the money. It’s all about the dum dum da da dad um. It’s all about the money.” Indeed it is …
Due to Cricket - Citizen Media: the Days of OUR Online Lives will not be posted for the next few weeks.
“How much are you going to worship me?” Mo said, tapping Digitella on the shoulder. Shoving her wide-rimmed glasses up her nose, Mo handed Digitella a printed piece of paper. Digitella read it and laughed. “Wow, my dear, you are fabulous! How do you find this stuff?”
“Just call me Moogle!” she giggled, skipping down the corridor.
Digitella found a shady spot on one of the campus lawns and eagerly pulled her laptop out from her backpack:
“We are all under the impression that citizen journalists don’t make much money – especially online citizen journalists. Unless you sell your content to news sites like Reporter.co.za or Ohmynews (whose pay won’t even cover the cost of your dial-up connection) you probably won’t make any money. Blogs, especially, are notoriously non-profitable.
But, wait … there have been hushed whispers and stirrings in the SA advertising world. It seems that advertisers have finally cottoned on to the fact that online media is popular and that more and more people are going online (people with money to spend that is).
I just read an article that said in the past two months aggregator site Amatomu has registered 350 000 outbound clicks to SA blogs – impressive. But, that wasn’t what caught my eye. Apparently, the company is planning to establish an advertising network that will share revenues with top blogs. Maher says that Amatomu wants to bring advertising to the blogosphere … Hmmm. Do I smell more trouble for traditional media?
An article I recently read says that Google currently has SA’s biggest market share in terms of online advertising. Its easy-to-use advertising model lets small-fry advertisers who can’t afford to place ads in big media advertise via Google on small websites and blogs. Google coughs up money every time a person clicks on an ad they are carrying. This lets bloggers make a few rands off their sites and with hundreds of thousands of registered blogs in SA, the amount of revenue generated could be HUGE. This could mean bad news for traditional media.
The bulk of traditional media’s money comes from advertising and if advertisers are going to take their money online, newspapers and magazines are in for a rough ride. This is just one more reason for traditional media organisations to tap into online media – and fast. In my opinion, if newspapers do not want to lose their advertising they need to create a website (even if it is a tad archaic), just to get their foot in the door and to hold on for dear life to their very life source. We can’t ignore the digital age any more – money is power and the power is slowly shifting.
Wake up.”
Digitella posted the entry and found herself humming the lyrics from an old song … “It’s all about the money. It’s all about the dum dum da da dad um. It’s all about the money.” Indeed it is …
Due to Cricket - Citizen Media: the Days of OUR Online Lives will not be posted for the next few weeks.
Episode 3 - The one where Digitella ends the blogger debate
The next morning Digitella got an sms from Tek to meet him in the newspaper office at lunch time. She anxiously hung around campus, wondering what his verdict would be – and when lunch time came, Digitella knocked lightly on the office door and walked in. Tek was sitting at one of the computers against the far wall and waved her over.
“Good blog,” he said, “A little wordy, but you got your point across. Well done.” Digitella smiled with relief. “Thanks. I’m still not sure its journalism though.”
Tek leant back, confidently in his chair, “Well, it might interest you to know that on Monday President Mbeki referred to bloggers as citizen journalists in a speech at the WAN Conference. Apparently he said something along the lines of “everyone owns a printing press”.”
“That doesn’t make them journalists,” Digitella replied defiantly.
“Look, if you don’t think that blogging is citizen journalism, why don’t you tell me what you think is citizen journalism – on the Web,” he said, smugly crossing his arms.
Digitella thought for a minute. “Well, when mainstream news sites like the Mail and Guardian draw on citizens for content, that would be journalism. Another possibility could be when independent news sites like Ohmynews get their content exclusively from users.”
“I still don’t see why news blogging is not journalism – its reporting and commenting on current events.”
“I just don’t like labeling it journalism,” Digitella said through clenched teeth.
“Why?” Digitella knew he was just trying to frustrate her.
It worked.
“Its just so limiting!” she cried, angrily tossing her backpack onto the desk. “There are so many possibilities for blogging that if you cage it in this western idea of what journalism is, you will lose its potentiality.” She started pacing, “I mean it provides a space for a multitude of fresh voices that highlight issues that affect citizens that mainstream media don’t pick up. It allows readers to comment on the news and become writers themselves. It also provides a space for debate, and, most of all, blogs are creative spaces to experiment.” She fell, exasperatedly into a chair.
Tek was quiet for a minute and then, he slowly swiveled his chair until he was facing her. “Do you have any idea how much time and energy you have wasted fighting this journalism/ blogging debate?”
Digitella turned to look at him, “What?”
“You know what Rosen said? He said that this debate is over. The question now isn’t whether bloggers are journalists – I mean, from our little debate we can see that blogging is sometimes journalism. What we need to do now is focus on the reality – power in the media is shifting and changing. When 9/ 11 happened – people turned to bloggers as a means of understanding what was going on. That is the reality and that is what you need to focus your pent-up aggression on.”
Digitella, sat back and sighed, “I don’t have pent-up aggression.”
Tek laughed, “Oh yes you do! Look, while its all good and well to ask questions like these, don’t get too bent out of shape over it because you are never going to reach a conclusion. There is so much else to question about citizen journalism on the Web.”
“I look forward to your next entry – and no more blogging vs. journalism. Your users are expecting more from you.”
Tune in later tonight for a special Exam week episode of Citizen Media: The Days of OUR Online Lives.
“Good blog,” he said, “A little wordy, but you got your point across. Well done.” Digitella smiled with relief. “Thanks. I’m still not sure its journalism though.”
Tek leant back, confidently in his chair, “Well, it might interest you to know that on Monday President Mbeki referred to bloggers as citizen journalists in a speech at the WAN Conference. Apparently he said something along the lines of “everyone owns a printing press”.”
“That doesn’t make them journalists,” Digitella replied defiantly.
“Look, if you don’t think that blogging is citizen journalism, why don’t you tell me what you think is citizen journalism – on the Web,” he said, smugly crossing his arms.
Digitella thought for a minute. “Well, when mainstream news sites like the Mail and Guardian draw on citizens for content, that would be journalism. Another possibility could be when independent news sites like Ohmynews get their content exclusively from users.”
“I still don’t see why news blogging is not journalism – its reporting and commenting on current events.”
“I just don’t like labeling it journalism,” Digitella said through clenched teeth.
“Why?” Digitella knew he was just trying to frustrate her.
It worked.
“Its just so limiting!” she cried, angrily tossing her backpack onto the desk. “There are so many possibilities for blogging that if you cage it in this western idea of what journalism is, you will lose its potentiality.” She started pacing, “I mean it provides a space for a multitude of fresh voices that highlight issues that affect citizens that mainstream media don’t pick up. It allows readers to comment on the news and become writers themselves. It also provides a space for debate, and, most of all, blogs are creative spaces to experiment.” She fell, exasperatedly into a chair.
Tek was quiet for a minute and then, he slowly swiveled his chair until he was facing her. “Do you have any idea how much time and energy you have wasted fighting this journalism/ blogging debate?”
Digitella turned to look at him, “What?”
“You know what Rosen said? He said that this debate is over. The question now isn’t whether bloggers are journalists – I mean, from our little debate we can see that blogging is sometimes journalism. What we need to do now is focus on the reality – power in the media is shifting and changing. When 9/ 11 happened – people turned to bloggers as a means of understanding what was going on. That is the reality and that is what you need to focus your pent-up aggression on.”
Digitella, sat back and sighed, “I don’t have pent-up aggression.”
Tek laughed, “Oh yes you do! Look, while its all good and well to ask questions like these, don’t get too bent out of shape over it because you are never going to reach a conclusion. There is so much else to question about citizen journalism on the Web.”
“I look forward to your next entry – and no more blogging vs. journalism. Your users are expecting more from you.”
Tune in later tonight for a special Exam week episode of Citizen Media: The Days of OUR Online Lives.
Tuesday, 29 May 2007
Episode 2 - The one where Digitella talks ethics
That evening as Digitella sits in front of her laptop, a blank blog post on her laptop screen, she wonders why she chose to study citizen media. Her debate earlier that day with Tek about blogging and journalism (that has not been resolved) proved to Digitella that citizen media is a vast abyss of information and unresolved arguments. Now, she has to post her first blog entry as a news blogger and she has no idea what her first topic should be.
Suddenly, Digitella’s digsmate Mo flings open the bedroom door and tosses a newspaper onto Digitella’s lap. “You have to read this,” she says breathlessly pulling up a chair.
Digitella’s eyes widen as she scans the headline Male Hooker names top clients
Male Hooker names Top clients. “I don’t believe it,” she says.
“Yeah, I thought it might make a good first entry,” Mo smiles, before leaving the room.
Digitella scans the article and then, fingers poised begins her blog entry:
“Blogging and journalism. The debate has been going on since the development of blogs at the end of the last century. An article I have just read raises big issues in the blog/ journalism debate:
1. the credibility of blogs as a source of news
2. the lack of accountability of bloggers when what is written crosses the boundaries of legality.
In the article, a former male sex worker has posted a personal blog claiming that a number of prominent South Africans paid him for sex. He named 11 of them so far and the information has spread like wild fire among SA news media organisations. The Sunday Times, IOL and Media24 are just a few traditional news companies who have run news articles about this.
The journalist who wrote this article is unable to establish the credibility and truthfulness of the sex worker (if in fact he/she is even a sex worker) because the blogger in question is anonymous. The journalist left a comment on the blog and was contacted by someone called Skye who “claimed” to be the blogger – does the journalist know this for a fact? No. Is the journalist able to find out? Not likely.
I then ask the question: how can you run an article when you are unsure of the blogger’s motives, and truthfulness? The only information the journalist has is the blog post (which may just be a work of fiction – an identity constructed, a fantasy lived out in cyberspace) and the men who are all flat-out denying it. It seems to me the article shouldn’t be about the blogger’s allegations, so much as it should be about what bloggers can and cannot get away with posting.
A lawyer has said that both the publisher and blogger can be sued for defamation – but the website has covered its behind by denying any responsibility in what bloggers publish on their site. And, without an identity, it is unlikely this blogger is going to be sued. How then do we make bloggers accountable?
Good ole Patricia De Lille has recently called for tighter control over Internet bloggers (I can already hear the chants of “freedom of speech” “freedom of expression”) – but, she does have a point. If we are to consider blogging as a form of journalism, shouldn’t it be held to the same legal and ethical standards as traditional journalism?
The question is: with nearly 60% of bloggers blogging anonymously and blogger sites denying responsibility how do you hold users accountable for what they say?”
Digitella sighs heavily as she posts the entry … wondering to herself what the response to the entry will be. She switched off her computer thinking that the battle is only just beginning …
Tune in next week to find out how Digitella’s entry is received.
Suddenly, Digitella’s digsmate Mo flings open the bedroom door and tosses a newspaper onto Digitella’s lap. “You have to read this,” she says breathlessly pulling up a chair.
Digitella’s eyes widen as she scans the headline Male Hooker names top clients
Male Hooker names Top clients. “I don’t believe it,” she says.
“Yeah, I thought it might make a good first entry,” Mo smiles, before leaving the room.
Digitella scans the article and then, fingers poised begins her blog entry:
“Blogging and journalism. The debate has been going on since the development of blogs at the end of the last century. An article I have just read raises big issues in the blog/ journalism debate:
1. the credibility of blogs as a source of news
2. the lack of accountability of bloggers when what is written crosses the boundaries of legality.
In the article, a former male sex worker has posted a personal blog claiming that a number of prominent South Africans paid him for sex. He named 11 of them so far and the information has spread like wild fire among SA news media organisations. The Sunday Times, IOL and Media24 are just a few traditional news companies who have run news articles about this.
The journalist who wrote this article is unable to establish the credibility and truthfulness of the sex worker (if in fact he/she is even a sex worker) because the blogger in question is anonymous. The journalist left a comment on the blog and was contacted by someone called Skye who “claimed” to be the blogger – does the journalist know this for a fact? No. Is the journalist able to find out? Not likely.
I then ask the question: how can you run an article when you are unsure of the blogger’s motives, and truthfulness? The only information the journalist has is the blog post (which may just be a work of fiction – an identity constructed, a fantasy lived out in cyberspace) and the men who are all flat-out denying it. It seems to me the article shouldn’t be about the blogger’s allegations, so much as it should be about what bloggers can and cannot get away with posting.
A lawyer has said that both the publisher and blogger can be sued for defamation – but the website has covered its behind by denying any responsibility in what bloggers publish on their site. And, without an identity, it is unlikely this blogger is going to be sued. How then do we make bloggers accountable?
Good ole Patricia De Lille has recently called for tighter control over Internet bloggers (I can already hear the chants of “freedom of speech” “freedom of expression”) – but, she does have a point. If we are to consider blogging as a form of journalism, shouldn’t it be held to the same legal and ethical standards as traditional journalism?
The question is: with nearly 60% of bloggers blogging anonymously and blogger sites denying responsibility how do you hold users accountable for what they say?”
Digitella sighs heavily as she posts the entry … wondering to herself what the response to the entry will be. She switched off her computer thinking that the battle is only just beginning …
Tune in next week to find out how Digitella’s entry is received.
Wednesday, 16 May 2007
Citizen Media: The Days of OUR Online Lives
Clouds In My Coffee productions and Blogspot.com are proud to present a new award-winning series entitled “Citizen Media: the Days of OUR Online Lives” that will air weekly on popular platform Blogger.com.
The long awaited doccie-drama will centre on one university student’s struggle to come to terms with the virtual concept of citizen media. Each week, she will be faced with new challenges ranging from issues around hyper-local citizen media to citizen media regulation and ethics, user-generated content sites as the way of the future and the role of citizen media in a South African context.
All of the obstacles the main character, Digitella will have thrust upon her over the coming weeks will lead her on a path to self-discovery where she will hopefully find her place within this much contested idea of citizen media.
Director and screenwriter, MEG is reluctant to give away too much about the show. “What I can tell you, is that our leading lady will be confronted with many heated debates. One that I am most looking forward to is the climactic debate over whether or not citizen media may be regarded as journalism.” MEG says that citizen media is often labeled as citizen journalism, but that the two are actually separate terms. Digitella will have to grapple with the differences between these two terms with specific regard to what we can define as journalism in the pilot episode which airs next week Wednesday.
MEG broadly describes citizen media as forms of content that are produced by private citizens who are not professional journalists . The mass media often have social, political and, especially, economic affiliations and often do not report on real citizen issues . Citizens are now able to produce their own news and information in the form of blogs, vodcasts, vlogs, podcasts and digital storytelling.
MEG says that she got the idea for the show after she stumbled across the term citizen media while studying online journalism at Rhodes University. “It’s difficult to pin-point when exactly citizen media came into being, but it definitely thrived with the growth of the Internet in the early 1990s,” she says. The Internet has made it possible, through blogs and user-generated content sites, for citizens to produce, analyse and disseminate news and information .
But, MEG says, there is more to citizen media than simply producing news and information. It is about community and building communities and citizen media sites rank high on value and impact. Digitella will also be touching on these issues throughout the drama’s run.
When questioned on the importance of questioning citizen media and its role in online communities, MEG said, “Let’s face it, this is a hot topic and will hopefully draw users. I mean everyone logging into the show has the potential to be a citizen media worker. The issues that our main character will have to interrogate are issues that everyone accessing the Internet should be grappling with. Users can learn from our protagonist and draw their own conclusions about citizen media from her experiences.”
MEG has noted that in 2006 there were 500 citizen media sites, and studies have shown that these sites are increasing in popularity . This is why MEG is firm in her belief that “Citizen Media: The Days of OUR Online Lives” will be a success with users.
Digitella will be supported in her quest by a number of recurrent guest stars and cameos namely Jan Schaffer , Wikipedia.org , We Media , and The Poynter Institute .
Be sure to log in next week for the premiere of “Citizen Media: The Days of OUR Online Lives”.
“Citizen Media”. Wikipedia.org. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizen_media
“Citizen Media”. Wikipedia.org. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizen_media
Bowman, S. and Willis, C. "We Media: How Audiences are Shaping the Future of News and Information." 2003, The Media Center at the American Press Institute.
Citizen Media: Fad or the Future of News? The Rise and Prospects of Hyperlocal Journalism. 2007.
Citizen Media: Fad or the Future of News? The Rise and Prospects of Hyperlocal Journalism. 2007.
www.wikipedia.org
http://www.hypergene.net/wemedia/weblog.php
http://www.poynter.org/
The long awaited doccie-drama will centre on one university student’s struggle to come to terms with the virtual concept of citizen media. Each week, she will be faced with new challenges ranging from issues around hyper-local citizen media to citizen media regulation and ethics, user-generated content sites as the way of the future and the role of citizen media in a South African context.
All of the obstacles the main character, Digitella will have thrust upon her over the coming weeks will lead her on a path to self-discovery where she will hopefully find her place within this much contested idea of citizen media.
Director and screenwriter, MEG is reluctant to give away too much about the show. “What I can tell you, is that our leading lady will be confronted with many heated debates. One that I am most looking forward to is the climactic debate over whether or not citizen media may be regarded as journalism.” MEG says that citizen media is often labeled as citizen journalism, but that the two are actually separate terms. Digitella will have to grapple with the differences between these two terms with specific regard to what we can define as journalism in the pilot episode which airs next week Wednesday.
MEG broadly describes citizen media as forms of content that are produced by private citizens who are not professional journalists . The mass media often have social, political and, especially, economic affiliations and often do not report on real citizen issues . Citizens are now able to produce their own news and information in the form of blogs, vodcasts, vlogs, podcasts and digital storytelling.
MEG says that she got the idea for the show after she stumbled across the term citizen media while studying online journalism at Rhodes University. “It’s difficult to pin-point when exactly citizen media came into being, but it definitely thrived with the growth of the Internet in the early 1990s,” she says. The Internet has made it possible, through blogs and user-generated content sites, for citizens to produce, analyse and disseminate news and information .
But, MEG says, there is more to citizen media than simply producing news and information. It is about community and building communities and citizen media sites rank high on value and impact. Digitella will also be touching on these issues throughout the drama’s run.
When questioned on the importance of questioning citizen media and its role in online communities, MEG said, “Let’s face it, this is a hot topic and will hopefully draw users. I mean everyone logging into the show has the potential to be a citizen media worker. The issues that our main character will have to interrogate are issues that everyone accessing the Internet should be grappling with. Users can learn from our protagonist and draw their own conclusions about citizen media from her experiences.”
MEG has noted that in 2006 there were 500 citizen media sites, and studies have shown that these sites are increasing in popularity . This is why MEG is firm in her belief that “Citizen Media: The Days of OUR Online Lives” will be a success with users.
Digitella will be supported in her quest by a number of recurrent guest stars and cameos namely Jan Schaffer , Wikipedia.org , We Media , and The Poynter Institute .
Be sure to log in next week for the premiere of “Citizen Media: The Days of OUR Online Lives”.
“Citizen Media”. Wikipedia.org. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizen_media
“Citizen Media”. Wikipedia.org. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizen_media
Bowman, S. and Willis, C. "We Media: How Audiences are Shaping the Future of News and Information." 2003, The Media Center at the American Press Institute.
Citizen Media: Fad or the Future of News? The Rise and Prospects of Hyperlocal Journalism. 2007.
Citizen Media: Fad or the Future of News? The Rise and Prospects of Hyperlocal Journalism. 2007.
www.wikipedia.org
http://www.hypergene.net/wemedia/weblog.php
http://www.poynter.org/
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