Unfettered 'citizen journalism' too risky

Re: Unfettered 'citizen journalism' too risky


Not to put too fine a point on it--bullshit. Everyone in the United States has the right to freely express themselves so long as they do not engage in or incite to criminality. The vast majority of "citizen journalism" consists of still or video images produced by individuals on the scene of an event. There is nothing in law which prohibits them from doing so, unless one were to allege that they were in a restricted area. In such a case, the illegality of their action would arise from entering the restricted area.

One thing is certain, and that is that no "industry" has any right to restrict or "regulate" the free expression or the legal actions of citizens.

Setanta
Setanta, I agree with you. BUT---too many people rely on and believe some of the crap posted, which lack any ethical and professional standards. Too many journalists lack those same standards. The commentators are the worst offenders because they have a license to lie and spin, but at least we know they are only spouting opinions.

A good example are the masses of young people who don't read newspapers, delivered or on line, who use the wonderful shows of Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert to get their news. I love these guys but don't reply on them for news.

Bush's press secretary is an example re her ignorance of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Either her history teacher was a dud or she was a stupid student.

Look at the millions of people who rely on FOX News. Will we be able to trust the Wall Street Journal now that the Devil from Oz owns it?

I frequently become terribly disappointed in the Press. Our Founders gave them Constitutional protection to maintain an informed public on which our Republic depends. They too often do not live up to that extraordinary right with the exception of a few patriots who believe in the Press' Constitutional mission.

John Edwards is right. Our country has been hijacked by corporate power and greed. We were ignorant and lazy. We gave it to them and the corporate-dominated Press has largely been a partner in that disaster.

BBB

India is on an extraordinary media proliferation spree. Delhi just got its 14th morning daily in English, the tabloid Mail Today. New TV channels have been surfacing at the rate of two a month, and eight more are in the queue to make their debut in the next few months, we are told.

And what of journalism? The news part of the media and entertainment sector is expanding massively too, without enough media professionals to go round. Each new entrant simply doubles salaries and takes away from the existing newspapers and TV channels. Salaries are shooting up, the skill pool is not expanding at the same rate.

A newspaper editor who lost two talented senior journalists to the new channel bouquet INX admitted that he went up to offering Rs.300,000 a month to try to retain one of them but lost him nonetheless to the predator channel which offered Rs.600,000 a month.

Media is booming in the new India. But journalism is in danger of falling behind.
Media is booming in the new India. But journalism is in danger of falling behind.
Media is booming in the new India. But journalism is in danger of falling behind.
Media is booming in the new India. But journalism is in danger of falling behind.
http://www.boloji.com/opinion/0441.htm

Ramafuchs
Ramafuchs, your scenario has been repeated throughout the history of information presentation in many forms. What is so sad about today's model is that professional journalism is being clobbered by the entertainment industry in response to a immature and brainless public.

It's always about the money. I kkeep asking myself if the real God people seek is money?



BBB