Technology paved several ways for us, ordinary citizens, to get involved. Through the use of social media and other online portals, we can exercise our right to provide information with the rest of the world. It is through citizen journalism that we are all granted the power to make a difference. However, it is not all sweet as it also comes with disadvantages.
5 Downsides Of Citizen Journalism:
Source Of Confusion
Citizen journalism can be a source of confusion for people. With all the news coming in left and right, it is hard to tell which ones are accurate. Sometimes, there is two contradicting information about a specific issue, and both have strong arguments, but only one is real.
For instance, we hear news about a particular person in our community. It is easy to believe, but it is our nature to probe. We understand the other side of the story from another source or another citizen, and we start to wonder which truth is really “the truth.”
Reason For Disbelief
Citizen journalism can be a reason for disbelief in things we see or hear. Everything is possible through the internet, and anyone can write something online. Some people have experienced believing something they see and read on social media or websites and ended up trusting the wrong information.
Has it happened to you when you thought you read or watched something useful and you were so proud that you told everyone about it, then it turned out to be a lie? It is either you look pitiful or feel like a complete fool. After that, you are suspicious about everything you read or see online unless the information comes from a credible source.
Outset Of Deception
Citizen journalism can be the beginning of a deception. As much as we want to gather useful information on the internet, sometimes, we fall into other people’s way of entrapping us. They tend to make us do something that usually involves money.
For example, some citizen posts a request for a donation for someone very sick or in need of financial assistance. He or she can use photos that are very convincing, and as an individual who wants to help, you will donate not knowing if it’s real or not.
Tool For Bullying
Since anyone can write or say anything about anyone, someone who pretends to be a citizen journalist can use the concept to destabilize an organization or destroy a reputation. It can be used to spread rumors meant to bully someone.
Sadly, it is hard to control the information on the internet as people believe what they want to, and as much as we want to say that the opinion of others does not matter, they just do.
Tool For Black Propaganda
They say politics is dirty, and today, media is a tool to promote a political agenda. Every party can throw accusations to the opponent and make the public believe. For some reason, everything that we see on social media and other websites is reasonable. However, how do we know who is telling the truth if everyone has access to a powerful weapon called citizen journalism?
There was one incident where a country elected a new leader, and “black propaganda” as his supporters call it, started spreading on social media. People all across the globe have something to say and make no mistake, their opinion matters. With the support of the majority and right people, a “black propaganda” can oust a leader.
Citizen journalism is a powerful method to spread awareness that the mainstream media often fail to provide. However, sometimes, it can also be a cause of lawlessness and chaos. It is our responsibility to tell if the information is accurate or not. If it is, we should do our part to reach out to other people and let them benefit from it. If it’s not, then we must do our part to warn them.