Citizen journalism
"How does citizen journalism use social media to increase coverage of world events? Provide a detailed explanation of your answer using examples."
Sample Solution
Citizen journalism is a form of news gathering and reporting that is conducted by members of the public, or “citizen journalists”. This type of reporting has increased in popularity and reach thanks to the widespread use of social media over the past decade. Social media platforms have allowed people from all around the world to share real-time information about current events,
often with little or no editorial oversight. This has enabled citizen journalists to cover and report on breaking news stories that traditional news outlets may not be able to get access to due to bureaucratic restrictions or financial constraints.
For example, during the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings in Egypt, Syria, Bahrain and Libya—among other nations—social media was used extensively by citizens living on the ground who wanted their voices heard despite censorship by authoritarian regimes. By using platforms such as Twitter and Facebook, citizens were able to share photos, videos and first-hand accounts of protests and government crackdowns that would otherwise have gone unreported had it been left solely up to professional journalists. This opened up an entirely new avenue for disseminating information from different parts of the world quickly and accurately regardless of any political agenda or propaganda being spread by either side involved in a conflict.
Social media also allows for greater interactivity between citizen journalists covering a particular event as well as those reading reports about said event; readers can comment on articles posted online which opens up a dialogue between them and reporters who can answer questions posed directly within comments sections or forums associated with their content (such as Reddit). In addition, readers are now able to support citizen journalism efforts financially via crowdfunding campaigns launched on websites like Kickstarter or Patreon which enables those who cannot afford traditional journalistic salaries but nevertheless provide important coverage nonetheless sustain themselves while pursuing further investigations into topics they deem essential enough worth writing about without any expectation other than informing people of what's actually happening out there in places where press freedom might be limited at best if not totally absent altogether.
Furthermore social media also helps amplify stories through viral sharing which leads both established publications as well independent blogs picking subjects covered by citizen journalist's posts; this is especially useful when trying draw attention towards areas where conflict exists (for example war zones) since many mainstream outlets tend avoid detailing ongoing battles lest they become too political risk losing potential viewers/readers familiar with more neutral topics thus creating an environment ripe enough for bias-free coverage yet still remain informative enough hence becoming invaluable source material capable providing context behind most world events even when traditional methods are either unavailable or impossible depending scenario presented itself .
In conclusion then we can see how social media has helped fuel growth certain aspects such journalism making it easier than ever before report real-time updates from various corners globe provided one knows proper channels take advantage these opportunities obtain needed success whatever goal set out doing whether it’s support independent writers informing masses sources untainted corporate interests proliferate false narratives created obscure hidden agendas attempt manipulate society its beliefs outlook future ahead us all .