The emergence of citizen journalism: How social media allows regular people to report

In the modern, digital world, we receive news differently than before. No longer are conventional newsrooms the only way to find out what is happening. Regular, everyday people with smartphones and social media accounts are a primary source of reporting events occurring in the world. This phenomenon is called citizen journalism and its growth has been exponential with the ease and rise of various social media platforms. 

The main factor in the development of citizen journalism is the accessibility and quality of smartphones. With smartphones equipped with a camera and instant internet access, people can take a photo or video of events that are noteworthy. Posting to Instagram, X (Twitter), Facebook or YouTube allows individuals to upload content seconds after it was recorded, and can reach the world within minutes.

One of the biggest advantages to citizen journalism is timeliness. Being able to record live videos, or updating it through social media in the moment helps in the immediate spread of information, especially during emergencies. These past several years we have seen many major stories first reported via citizen videos or content. This has made citizen journalists a critical component in reporting breaking news and timely updates.

Another significant benefit is the representation of diverse communities. Traditional mainstream media tends to neglect small towns, minority groups, or what seem to be “too local” issues. But citizen journalists are able to cover those communities directly. They directly empower members of the community to share their experiences. 

However there are challenges to citizen journalism as well. Because of the lack of professional training, misinformation is also an easy outcome from individual citizen journalists. A video posted by a citizen, without supporting context, may be misconstrued. Edited video clips or unverified claims can become viral quite quickly, adding additional confusion.

Safety is also a concern. Many citizens are recording videos in the midst of threatening situations. They may be subject to threats, harassment, or reports that they should remove their video. For a non-professional citizen without legal protection, they may be more vulnerable when trying to expose the truth without corresponding training from media.

Despite these concerns, citizen and professional journalism can coexist. Professional organizations of journalists often take footage of citizens as a starting point and then verify it to ensure factual accuracy. At the same time, many citizens are becoming more conscious about their responsible posting- truth checking, not posting harmful rumors about individuals, and sharing full information, where possible. 

In conclusion, the rise of citizen journalism speaks to the power of social media. With responsible use, social media has the potential to bolster the public's awareness, enhance transparency, and empower the audience to have a more impactful voice in society.