Virginia Tech Coverage Shows Flaws with Citizen Journalism
Update 4/17 -- CNN.com has an interview with Jamal Albarghouti, the student who shot the on-scene video. According to Albarghouti, he was aware this was a serious situation. ""When I saw the policemen taking their guns out, then I knew that this was serious," he's quoted. Moreover, the final sentence in the CNN story notes: "...he often visited CNN.com and knew he could send his video to I-Report."Today's events at Virginia Tech are an unfathomable tragedy and I certainly hope everyone's thoughts are with the victims and their families.
In the weeks to come there will be considerable discussion about the on-scene coverage of this event, and I'm sure there will be plenty of "pro-citizen journalism" analysis. But I also hope there's some serious debate about issues surrounding citizen journalism -- most notably, safety.
I bring this up after watching a CNN.com cameraphone "I-Report" filed by a witness at Virginia Tech (the video is available on CNN.com's home page and the broadcast network has it on constant rotation). The short video shows armed police surrounding a school building while gunfire rings in the background. At first the videographer is tucked safely behind a concrete wall, but he soon darts into the open to get a better shot.
"Is he insane?!," I shouted upon first seeing the clip. The videographer runs toward armed police while holding up a cameraphone, which easily could be mistaken for a weapon in such an amped situation. Not the smartest idea.
I'm sure hard-core citizen journalism advocates will have plenty of excuses for this type of behavior -- "it's an isolated incident," "he has every right to cover the event," "no one told him to do this" -- but I have a huge issue with bystanders darting into a gun battle so they can capture shaky video on a cell phone. Hell, I have a huge issue with reporters doing this type of thing.
I know there's no way to stop folks from risking everything for a story and I also know that certain people are hard-wired to run toward gunfire. Nonetheless, we in the journalism community need to consider the role of citizen journalism in these types of events, especially if citizen journalism material is integrated into the Web sites, broadcasts and publications of mainstream media outlets.
Questions I believe need to be considered include:
- Is it appropriate for news organizations to run cit j material that put the reporter/videographer/photographer in harm's way?
- Is it appropriate to run cit j material if the reporter was injured or killed in the process?
- Should news organizations have a set of citizen journalism standards that editors/producers refer to during crisis situations?
- How should citizen journalism material be packaged? Should it be integrated into other material? Should it stand alone?
- On what grounds should a citizen journalism video/story/photo be rejected?
Comments:
Anyone who dons the mantle of a journalist, whether they are of professional or citiizen ststus, must assume responsibility for their own personal safety...common sense being the key ingredient here.
In the heat of any unfolding tragic event there are certain rules that must be followed, like obeying police and rescue workers valid instructions to move from potentially dangerous areas.
Citizen journalists work should be judged by the same standard set for professionals'. GOOD HONEST work from either source, speaks for itself.
There will always be those among us who push the envelope too far. A camera is not a bulletproof vest. The crude but applicale old adage I learn in the Marine Corps still holds true, "Cover you Ass."
Posted by: Tom Foley at April 17, 2007 4:23 PM
@Tom: I completely agree re: personal responsibility and had this citizen journalist posted this material on his own site or YouTube, my response would be limited to a guffaw. But in this case, there's an unfortunate element at play: the influence and allure of mainstream media attention.
I really don't want to see someone get hurt or shot or killed simply because they're trying to tap into their 15 minutes of fame. I'm probably asking too much, especially given the intoxicating effects of fame, but shouldn't these possible repercussions be discussed? Shouldn't mainstream outlets acknowledge that their hard-earned popularity and audience share can open the door to folks pursuing these stories for the wrong reasons? I'm not saying citizen journalism should be avoided -- far from it -- but I also think it's wrong to put this particular video up on a pedestal and invite others to follow the same path.
Posted by: mac at April 17, 2007 5:32 PMRobert Capa
Posted by: William Glad at April 17, 2007 10:20 PMCare to elaborate William? I know who you're referring to and I think I know where you're going with it, but more information would be helpful.
Posted by: mac at April 17, 2007 10:56 PMMac: What motivates someone to pick up their digital camera or cell phone and start recording
any tragic event, calls for an answer as unique as the person who does it.
Granted there will always be those who, like moths to a flame, are attracted to that fifteen minute burst of fame.
Then there are others , who quickly grasp the historic value of the moment and decide to capture it. The motivation here being... we may learn something from this.
Mac, this sudden display of heightened interest in Citizen Journalism by a faltering news media, calls for answers to the questions raised in your blog.
Let's hope, in this probable relationship, all players involved get a fair shake.
Posted by: Tom Foley at April 17, 2007 11:07 PMРегистрация доменов в зоне RU по 115 рублей за год,
подробности на сайте - www.rusureg.ru, icq - 575225
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