Category: Functions Of Journalism

For this 2019 trade fair, a well-crafted media presence is expected for exhibitors and visitors to attend. As citizen journalists, we are independent and free to report these seemingly ordinary topics that may not reach headlines but are newsworthy.

From current affairs to lifestyle events, we write about issues that we think deserve public attention. But how do we stand out?

While journaling exercises taught us how to organize our thoughts, there people out there who uses their skill in writing for making a change. When journalists raise awareness on public concern issues, we are exercising our civic right and, therefore, leading others through our reporting. Civic leadership means improving the quality of life in a community by using skills, knowledge, and time. We don’t need to become a politician or a CEO, but how do we know when we are doing it correctly?

• Stepping Up

Citizen journalism compels us to report upon encountering disinformation or a lack of coverage on an issue that is important to us. Community members with lived experiences are left out of the conversation even though they are credible news sources. If we want them to step up and speak out, we need to come out first and lead with the right action.

• Showing Up

Whether it’s a physical activity or a virtual event, we need to show up and be present. If it’s a written interview, why don’t we initiate a phone call to explain and introduce ourselves first? It’s easy to volunteer ourselves physically, but to be fully present, we must ensure that our attention isn’t roaming elsewhere.

• Leaning In

There will be instances when we are unaware of specific issues, but we must be willing to find those people who are. Leaning into topics or ideas that are not in our comfort zone improves our critical thinking abilities. People who accept they don’t know everything makes good leaders and for a practicing journalist, makes for good writers.

Civic leaders provide a call to action, which is more natural for editorialists and bloggers than news reporters when it comes to citizen journalism. Despite this, many reporters take advantage of various platforms by giving a voice to ordinary people.

Once we make our online identities public, we gain an opportunity to shape public opinion. All journalists can become civic leaders, but it’s still up to the public to decide whether the information they receive serves the common good.

 

Source: nickrenniepr.files

 

It’s the job of the journalist to responsibly and distinctly convey credible information to the public. In the face of a pandemic like this one, where the coronavirus causes the spread of COVID-19, the job of the journalist becomes even more crucial.

Particularly during outbreaks, journalists must draw a tough balance between instilling fear and simply informing the general public. You want to avoid leniency, but at the same time, you would not want to build it up too much that you push people to panic or get scared. To help journalists worldwide to cope with their responsibilities on telling stories, we have collected a list of guidelines when making reports on the coronavirus pandemic.

Concentrate on reporting and not on analyzing.

Analyzing and making opinions are okay, but it’s not appropriate when reporting, especially about large-scale events like this one. There is a lot to report about, and writing your own opinion as a journalist somehow limits you from reporting on a large scope. Up until today, we don’t have exact details on how the coronavirus is eliminated, so it’s best not to make personal comments.

Read the mood around you and incorporate it into your work.

Just like any global crisis, there are plenty of stories circulating, and not all of it is pleasant. The spread of information on the web can misguide readers, just as when the news was told about a person who dropped dead in the streets of Wuhan. It was immediately assumed that he died of coronavirus infection when, in fact, the body was not yet examined when that news came out. This is often called visual reporting, and while this is valuable, it needs to be done reliably. Reports must include images that truthfully describe the real story. Sensationalizing only misleads the public, which may cause them to be complacent or to be too scared, depending on the level of exaggeration the photos portray.

To accurately tell the story, get a feel of the mood around you. Talk to the people involved or those who can support your reports, and then incorporate these details into your work. If there is fear in the atmosphere, then it’s only right to write about it.

Source: pxfuel.com

Avoid a racist tone.

Epidemics often stir racism and prejudice, and yes, COVID-19, which is a global crisis, is not spared from this. An example of this was a report about a Chinese national being discriminated in the United States. People were avoiding him, saying that they didn’t want to get his coronavirus. Chinese stores have also been closed in various cities.

As a responsible member of the media, journalists must take caution in encouraging stereotypes or promote racism. In light of COVID-19, for instance, you might not want to include photos of Chinatown or add pictures of people wearing facemasks.

Don’t write a misleading headline.

This is crucial, especially for editors who have the last say in publishing news. With plenty of information going around and the constant use of the Internet, people often get major news from the headlines alone. A headline does need to be persuasive and interesting, but it doesn’t need to be exaggerated. The truth must not be sacrificed. Let it reflect the situation, not sensationalize it.

Don’t ignore stories that are not as exciting.

A global experience like the COVID-19 has enabled journalists to give interesting reports, comprehensive investigations, and thousands of following. But it is important to note that not all stories you will tell are award-winning. Proper handwashing, for example, is not as exciting as how Wuhan got the first virus infection, but the former is equally as crucial as the latter – and it MUST be reported. Also, do the best you can to answer your readers’ queries. Utilize Google Trends so you can understand what kind of information people want now.

Source: theijst.com

Know when to say no.

Your boss will probably ask you to write more stories about the current situation. It is vital that you learn to say no when you need to, for your sanity. Your mental health is crucial to your work and your life as well. If you think you’ve been working on the hour and overtime, take time to step away from your computer and paperwork and find ways to relax. Get enough sleep, soak in the tub, and eat right. You need all these to be better, if not the best, at what you do.

 

 

 

 

 

With the rise of social media, citizen journalism continues to soar as many people are seizing the opportunity to spread news, awareness, and other valuable information to the public. Many people think it is necessary to have citizen journalism since the credibility of the mainstream media is getting questionable. Many believe that they spread news depending on the benefit of some and is somewhat deviating from the truth. Continue reading “Advantages And Disadvantages Of Citizen Journalism”

 

Why is it easy for us to react to something that’s happening a thousand miles away? Why do we care for people who are suffering from other parts of the world? Why do we burden ourselves from seeing children being beaten and women raped? They are complete strangers! It is not that it is unacceptable. It is in fact what we call compassion. However, why can’t we feel the same toward our neighbors? Continue reading “The Importance Of Getting Involved”

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. Continue reading “5 Downsides Of Citizen Journalism”

 

People are becoming concerned with all the events that are happening all over the globe, from the hostility in the Arab Republic to the border wall funding issue of US President Donal Trump to the feud over the South China Sea. These are all critical controversies surrounding the most influential people and countries on the planet that somehow affects the entire human population. Continue reading “Top 10 Citizen Journalism Websites”

 

Nowadays, people are in need of a credible source of information. With all, that’s happening worldwide and even in a small community, it is difficult to rely on a single platform or media portal. Citizen journalism is convenient with the advancement of technology. People get connected through social media, and most of us may not even know that we are already doing citizen journalism. Continue reading “5 Guidelines On How To Be A Citizen Journalist”

 

There are many different types of publications. There are news magazines that are recognized nationally, and there are newspapers that serve small towns. There are trade journals that publish scholarly articles, and there are consumer magazines that feature products such as cosmetics. What makes a good journalist would vary depending on the type of publication. Each type of publication expects something different from each journalist. However, there are attributes for a good journalist that is common to all kinds of publications.

Continue reading “What Are The Important Attributes Of A Good Journalist?”

There was much celebrating at the 2014 Vancouver Writers Festival, where writers, poets, and lovers of stories and poems gathered to feast on the art of reading and storytelling. The organizers of the festival made sure that everyone who joined had their chance of appreciating how books can change one’s life – and the world. The festival has been commemorated since 1988. It is usually attended by different types of writers that do various styles and niches. One of the most anticipated is the yearly mainstay – the Literary Cabaret. Live music plays while the writers read onstage. It’s somewhat stimulating and exciting.

Continue reading “The 2014 Vancouver Writers Festival What It’s Is All About”

 

Many young people in college and high school are considering journalism as a career choice. Below is some advice for these young people who are aspiring to become journalists.

 

Continue reading “Advice For Young People Who Aspire To Become Journalists”