TOPIC 2

BLOGS
2.1 CITIZEN JOURNALISM
The concept of involving readers and viewers
in reporting and disseminating news is called
“citizen journalism”, “participatory journalism”
or “user-generated-content”.
The movement is an attempt by media
organizations to increase their interactions
with the audience. The contributor are often
called “citizen journalists”, because they are
not staff members of the news organizations
even though they may write blogs on a regular
basis for the media Web site.
2.2 TRANSPARENCY
A pioneer in the user-generated-content movement is a
South Korean Web site called OhmyNews. When it was
created in 2000, it had 727 citizen reporters contributing
content.
Oh Yeon-ho, creator of the site said: “Our citizen reporters
work not only in Korea but also from 100 other countries….
We are now realizing our motto ‘Every citizen is a reporter.’”
The Spokesman Review posts a blog called “News is a
Conversation” on its Web site with this note: “As part of our
effort to increase transparency in journalism, we have
invited readers to talk about our news coverage and content
on a daily basis: what they like, what they don’t like, and
what they would like to see more of. We participate, but
the readers lead the conversation here.”
Continuation…

Such transparency is not limited to newspaper

organizations. Television news shows also offer
blogs to explain their editorial decisions. The CBS
News show offers a feature called “Public Eye” on
its Web site to foster transparency.

“Public Eye will not just scrutinize CBS News, it

will try to lift the curtain and show how the news is
made – through video stories, regular news stories
and even taking our community into CBS News
meetings, control rooms and edit booths.”
2.3 ETHICAL ISSUES
Should journalists use anonymous sources
from blogs?
Should blogs be edited or monitored for
standards of taste?
How should editors deal with abusive posts
on Web sites that seek comments from readers
and viewers? (This issue has become a
problem as interaction with readers and
viewers increases on Web sites that seek
comments, but staff to supervise the Web site
is limited at most news organizations)
2.4 HOW TO WRITE A BLOG
Be interesting – provide something new or
evocative if you are writing an opinion about
news. Write about a topic that would be of
interest to other people in your age group or
country.

Be accurate and fair – don’t spread rumours

or information that may not be truthful. The
basic guidelines of accuracy and fairness that
apply to news stories apply to blogs as well.
Continuation…
Be conversational – write as though you are talking
to a friend.

Target your audience – consider the people you are

trying to reach and write about topics they would
want to read, especially on social network blogs. If it
is a personal blog, what do your friends and family
want to know? If it is a blog intended for a public
audience, ask yourself why anyone would want to read
your comments.

Write a clear headline that will hook the reader.

ENDS