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.
Tuesday, 29 May 2007
Monday, 28 May 2007
Funny Strike - News Broadcast
Hi all you bloggers in the blogosphere!
Well, I have officially finished my first video blog aka vlog! It was quite an interesting experience. I covered a local comedy show and there were a few glitches with filming E.G lighting etc. The editing was time consuming and alas not perfect - but I am working on deadline so it will just have to do!!! Have a look and let me know what you think:) ">Funny Strike - News Broadcast
Cheers
Melissa
Well, I have officially finished my first video blog aka vlog! It was quite an interesting experience. I covered a local comedy show and there were a few glitches with filming E.G lighting etc. The editing was time consuming and alas not perfect - but I am working on deadline so it will just have to do!!! Have a look and let me know what you think:) ">Funny Strike - News Broadcast
Cheers
Melissa
Thursday, 24 May 2007
Digitalia No More
Well, the ratings are in and the result ... Citizen Media: The Days of Our Online Lives is here to stay (for now). There has however been a request by users that the main character's name be changed as it reminds them too much of well ... ummm ... something that sounds awefully similar to Digitalia.
As a result, Directot/ screenwriter MEG has re-christened the main character as Digitella. "I never made any connotations between the name and what users have been comparing it too," MEG smiles bashfully. "Now that it has been mentioned, I can't ignore it."
So, from this moment on, Digitalia will now be known as Digitella.
As a result, Directot/ screenwriter MEG has re-christened the main character as Digitella. "I never made any connotations between the name and what users have been comparing it too," MEG smiles bashfully. "Now that it has been mentioned, I can't ignore it."
So, from this moment on, Digitalia will now be known as Digitella.
Tuesday, 22 May 2007
Episode 1 - The one where Digitella becomes a blogger journalist
DIGITELLA can hardly contain her excitement as she skips down the colourful campus corridors of Blogosphere University. Barely a week into her first year and already she has managed to land a part-time job as a journalist for the campus newspaper – The Blogosphere Gazette.
With untainted blue eyes and an ambitious smile across her naïve façade, Digitella waltzes into her first production meeting – pen and notepad poised like weapons in her petite hands. “You’re late!” An angry fourth year bellows at her from the front of the windowless room.
“I’m sorry, I uh …” Digitella clambers for one of the plastic garden chairs littered about the room.
“Never mind, make sure it doesn’t happen again!” The student growls and then turning to the other student journalists in the room begins the meeting.
Digitella’s eyes wander from anxious face to anxious face as the growling student, who has introduced himself as Tek, the editor of the Gazette, explains the plan for the newspaper for the coming year. It is only when she hears her name that Digitalia is shaken from her reverie.
“Digitella, you will be responsible for running a news blog for our online audience.” Tek says, nonchalantly.
“I’m sorry, you want me to run what? A blog?”
“Are you deaf, Digitella? Yes, a blog. You do know what a blog is, don’t you?” he raises a skeptical eyebrow in her direction.
*AD BREAK*
“Of course. A blog or weblog is basically an online diary written by a person or a group of people in an informal or critical way,” she gulps, trying to recall Matheson. She continues, “A news blog deals with public matters, like commenting on news stories.”
“Exactly,” he says, somewhat surprised.
Digitella clears her throat, aware of the entire news team’s eyes on her, “This is a newspaper, why do you want me to write a blog? That’s not journalism.”
Tek tosses his papers onto a desk and laughs, “On the contrary, blogs actually have the power of making ordinary citizens, readers and consumers of news into commentators. You could argue that it’s a form of citizen journalism. It allows people to speak for themselves and represent their own issues – issues that are not covered in mainstream journalism.”
He takes a swig from a coffee mug before continuing, “News bloggers actually share many of the motivations of journalism – they want to provide users with information and opinion that is essential to the success of a democratic society. They also aim to “revitalize public life and challenge those in power” – to quote Matheson.”
“But, doesn’t it depend on how you define journalism?” Digitella asks, “One editor (in a study by Matheson) said that if you define journalism as the act of spreading information then a blog would be considered journalism. But, I don’t consider that a good definition of what journalism is,” she says.
“How would you define journalism then?” a cocky second year student sitting retorts.
*AD BREAK*
“Well, Medger defines it as “story gathering and storytelling in words, audio and visual elements on behalf of the public interest and through any means of distribution by independent gatherers, organisers and analysers of information and ideas,” says Digitella, nervously.
“Well, by that definition blogging is a form of journalism,” Tek says. “News bloggers gather stories and relate them through writing and vlogs on behalf of the public interest. Information is independent because news bloggers are often not qualified journalists and do not have affiliations and obligations to advertisers (unless you are Vincent Maher).”
“I still think it limits the potential of news blogs as a digital medium to label it as journalism,” Digitella argues. “News blogging is more personal and individual. It is free and there is more space to be creative and experiment with new writing styles and forms. It’s also more opinionated, unlike traditional journalism that strives to be unbiased.”
Tek thinks for a minute. “Good point, but what about column writing? Columnists like David Bullard and Barry Ronge are very opinionated, they write in the first person and are relatively creative. You could argue that news blogs are columns written by citizens.”
Digitella sighs with exasperation as Tek moves to finish up the meeting. She grabs her pen and notepad and walks towards the door.
“Digitella?” She turns and Tek says, “You raised a good issue and it’s a complex one. We’ll continue our discussion at the enxt meeting. In the mean time – get cracking on that blog, citizen journalist.”
Tune in again next week to find out what happens to Digitella when she confronts Tek ...
With untainted blue eyes and an ambitious smile across her naïve façade, Digitella waltzes into her first production meeting – pen and notepad poised like weapons in her petite hands. “You’re late!” An angry fourth year bellows at her from the front of the windowless room.
“I’m sorry, I uh …” Digitella clambers for one of the plastic garden chairs littered about the room.
“Never mind, make sure it doesn’t happen again!” The student growls and then turning to the other student journalists in the room begins the meeting.
Digitella’s eyes wander from anxious face to anxious face as the growling student, who has introduced himself as Tek, the editor of the Gazette, explains the plan for the newspaper for the coming year. It is only when she hears her name that Digitalia is shaken from her reverie.
“Digitella, you will be responsible for running a news blog for our online audience.” Tek says, nonchalantly.
“I’m sorry, you want me to run what? A blog?”
“Are you deaf, Digitella? Yes, a blog. You do know what a blog is, don’t you?” he raises a skeptical eyebrow in her direction.
*AD BREAK*
“Of course. A blog or weblog is basically an online diary written by a person or a group of people in an informal or critical way,” she gulps, trying to recall Matheson. She continues, “A news blog deals with public matters, like commenting on news stories.”
“Exactly,” he says, somewhat surprised.
Digitella clears her throat, aware of the entire news team’s eyes on her, “This is a newspaper, why do you want me to write a blog? That’s not journalism.”
Tek tosses his papers onto a desk and laughs, “On the contrary, blogs actually have the power of making ordinary citizens, readers and consumers of news into commentators. You could argue that it’s a form of citizen journalism. It allows people to speak for themselves and represent their own issues – issues that are not covered in mainstream journalism.”
He takes a swig from a coffee mug before continuing, “News bloggers actually share many of the motivations of journalism – they want to provide users with information and opinion that is essential to the success of a democratic society. They also aim to “revitalize public life and challenge those in power” – to quote Matheson.”
“But, doesn’t it depend on how you define journalism?” Digitella asks, “One editor (in a study by Matheson) said that if you define journalism as the act of spreading information then a blog would be considered journalism. But, I don’t consider that a good definition of what journalism is,” she says.
“How would you define journalism then?” a cocky second year student sitting retorts.
*AD BREAK*
“Well, Medger defines it as “story gathering and storytelling in words, audio and visual elements on behalf of the public interest and through any means of distribution by independent gatherers, organisers and analysers of information and ideas,” says Digitella, nervously.
“Well, by that definition blogging is a form of journalism,” Tek says. “News bloggers gather stories and relate them through writing and vlogs on behalf of the public interest. Information is independent because news bloggers are often not qualified journalists and do not have affiliations and obligations to advertisers (unless you are Vincent Maher).”
“I still think it limits the potential of news blogs as a digital medium to label it as journalism,” Digitella argues. “News blogging is more personal and individual. It is free and there is more space to be creative and experiment with new writing styles and forms. It’s also more opinionated, unlike traditional journalism that strives to be unbiased.”
Tek thinks for a minute. “Good point, but what about column writing? Columnists like David Bullard and Barry Ronge are very opinionated, they write in the first person and are relatively creative. You could argue that news blogs are columns written by citizens.”
Digitella sighs with exasperation as Tek moves to finish up the meeting. She grabs her pen and notepad and walks towards the door.
“Digitella?” She turns and Tek says, “You raised a good issue and it’s a complex one. We’ll continue our discussion at the enxt meeting. In the mean time – get cracking on that blog, citizen journalist.”
Tune in again next week to find out what happens to Digitella when she confronts Tek ...
Thursday, 17 May 2007
I just got published!!!
Hi guys! I am so excited that my translat@thon article got published on tectonic.co.za. Have a look! So, one article down and three more to go. for my next article, which will be a video story on Rape Awareness Week at good ole rhodes. I will be pairing up with fellow journo Galen (who dated Galen) to cover a march that is happening tomorrow between 13:00 and 14:00. We will be collecting the raw material together, but will edit and write our own articles.
And now onto other news ... you may have noticed something different about my blog. Well - it's been given a COMPLETE makeover - even the address is different. The purpose of this sudden shift in personality is part of my semester long project where I blog on issues around citizen media. While I will still have my other journalistic rants every now and then, the majority of my posts will focus on citizen media - so come along and have a read!
Cheers*
And now onto other news ... you may have noticed something different about my blog. Well - it's been given a COMPLETE makeover - even the address is different. The purpose of this sudden shift in personality is part of my semester long project where I blog on issues around citizen media. While I will still have my other journalistic rants every now and then, the majority of my posts will focus on citizen media - so come along and have a read!
Cheers*
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