QotW9: STOMPing...

Citizen Journalism

Today’s news can be brought about by ordinary individuals like you and me. As defined by Wikipedia (2007), citizen journalism is the act of citizens playing an active role in the process of collecting, reporting, analyzing and disseminating news and information (participatory journalism). Traditionally, news are brought by professional journalists or reporters but with change in technology, comes the introduction of citizen journalism or rather the rise of it. This way, not only are the news more saturated but voices that were once 'unheard' are now projected. Journalists work around a certain parameter. With contributions from ordinary folks like us, stories which journalists are unable to provide become available.

There are many ways citizen have found to make their stories heard.
1) Blogging - a venue where not only bloggers create sensational news but readers can post in fruitful comments.

2) Forum groups, mailing lists

3)Sousveillance - another form of citizen journalism where people in turn become watchdogs and record on the happenings around them, even those of higher authority. (photos and videos)

So what has changed?
The way news are reported have revolutionized, more medium to reach the masses, news are varied and audience have also transformed from being passive to being active.


STOMP!

The rise of the citizen journalist will help us listen. The ability of anyone to make the news will give new voice to people who’ve felt voiceless—and whose words we need to hear. They are showing all of us—citizen, journalist, newsmaker—new ways of talking, of learning (Gillmor, 2004). This is what the Straits Times has invested in. Coming out with a website - Straits Times Online Moblie Print (STOMP), it aims to engage Singaporeans in providing their own news or opinions. With the definition of 'citizen journalism' in mind, STOMP clearly falls under that category.

The website features columns such as 'Singapore Seen', 'Talkback', 'English as it is Broken' which gives the citizen an opportunity to send in and share their stories. Although not entirely headed by the citizen ourselves as what an ideal citizen journalism should be, the editors are there to act as gatekeepers. Still, STOMP is still considered as citizen journalism. As long as people with journalistic instincts are able to publish their work and contribute news.

Cherian George's view are in contrast. He does not consider STOMP to be citizen journalism as it merely responds to the issues asked by the editors. He also believes that the basis of citizen journalism is to do its own agenda-setting and putting the public on top, not on tap (George, 2006). True.

But in my opinion, any form of response or report from the public is still citizen journalism. Unlike the professionals, we need something or someone to trigger us to ponder. Thus, when the editors post out a question or mission, it generates thought from the public. We need to hear from normal people too. Views from the professionals may differ from the public. This results in news being brought out from various perspectives. It's the very basic idea that citizen are allowed to engage in journalism, be it responding to a question or putting out comments, that makes STOMP a form of citizen journalism.

STOMP basically covers all areas of interest. Entertainment, food, fashion and shopping. Maybe politic is not that greatly covered because of its sensitive nature but it could be included so as to make this website more thought provoking. In addition, to make the public more active, editors could give out reward to those who contribute. Like what George has mentioned in his blog, to put the public on top, STOMP can feature the top contributors or give a special mention to those who come out with original stories.

References

George, C. (2006). Singapore:New Media, Politics & the Law. Is STOMP citizen journalism?. Retrieved March 31, 2007 from http://singaporemedia.blogspot.com/2006/07/is-stomp-citizen-journalism.html

Gillmor, D. (2004). We the Media. Grassroots Journalism by the People, for the People. Retrieved March 30, 2007, from http://download.nowis.com/index.cfm?phile=WeTheMedia.html&tipe=text/html

Wikipedia. (2007). Citizen Journalism. Retrieved March 30, 2007 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizen_journalism#Criticisms

QotW8: Politics..

New Media

With the advent of blogs, moblogs, podcasts and vodcasts, news are now efficiently reaching the audience. As a form of new media, blogs can be a channel for political news or agendas. As such, the Singapore government has decided to take on a 'light touch' approach to regulating the Internet. However, such medium too can bring about controversies. When it comes to politics, people have to be careful of what they say or write.

By definition, democracy is 'rule by the people'. Democracy allows the poeple to voice out their opinion. Control is limited and freedom of speech is widely practiced.

The blog that i came across discusses heavily on topics regarding the Singapore government.

Blog Title: a little fish finding her way in the world
Blog URL: http://charissaishere.blogspot.com
Blogger's Occupation: citizen blogger
Blog's DOB: 24/10/2006
Technorati Rank: 156, 018

A citizen blogger, Charissa takes on a less formal tone when blogging about politics. She even put up a disclaimer, letting readers know that her posts are just her own views and does not intend to insult anyone.

One entry that was written discusses the extent to which freedom of speech will reach here in Singapore. She reviewed the forum that went on at NUS titled "Freedon of Speech - How far can we go?" Interestingly enough, she finds that freedom of speech may exist here in Singapore but is not greatly encouraged.

However, I feel that what really matters is not the real examples, but how Singaporeans feel and perceive the environment to be like. Even if they are opening up, the society (through laws, defamation law suits, the existence of ISD, fearful friends and family etc) seem to continue playing a part in stifling freedom of speech. For example, family who "advice" their child/brother/sister to not "talk too much" about politics online (Charissa, 2007).

In another paragraph, she stated that freedom of speech is much more limited among the politicians than the citizens. The reason being that it is the politicians themselves that are bearing the brunt of the regulations.

Politicians are suppose to represent the people's opinions and try to initiate social, economic and political changes (hopefully for the betterment of Singapore). If they find it difficult to maneuver around the restrictions, then how are they suppose to articulate their views and champion causes beneficial to Singaporeans? (Charissa, 2007).

Charissa does not feel the need to side anyone or any parties. Her entries are merely opinions and discussions. Like what she said in her profile, she would rather Singaporeans rid themselves of the thought that they are not able to make a difference. I feel that even though citizens are more daring in putting up thought about politics, there is still a void that needs to be filled. People are not doing much to make a change.

I believe that blogs make way for greater democracy. The ability for individuals and smaller groups with fewer resources to present their points of view to a large number of people is much more viable (Thornton, 2002). Opinions are heard and views are put across. But i still feel that there is some kind of control that restrict citizens from making a change.

PM Lee also revealed the government’s distrust for the free-wheeling world of cyberspace. He told Singaporeans that “if you read something on the Straits Times or CNA (Channel NewsAsia) you must know it is real“, unlike what is on TalkingCock. He warned Singaporeans to be “sceptical” and not believe everything they read, as “there will be half truths and untruths which will circulate, and you won’t know which is which” (The online citizen, 2006). With such comments, there is a tinge of animosity towards blogs that put up political views, especially those that are contradicting. Well, that is my opinion at least. And i feel that that is a form of control put subtly.

In order for democracy to furhter emphasized, i think that the governmetn should at least take into considerations views that are put up and not dismiss them entirely.


References

Charissa - A little fish finding her way in the world. (2006). Retrieved March 23 2007, from http://charissaishere.blogspot.com

The Online Citizen. (2006). Review-The Politics of Singapore's new Media in 2006. Retrieved March 23 2007, from http://theonlinecitizen.com/2006/12/31/review-the-politics-of-singapores-new-media-in-2006/

Thornton, A. (2002, October). Does Internet Create Democracy. Retrieved March 23, 2007 from http://www.zip.com.au/~athornto/thesis_2002_alinta_thornton.doc

Qotw6: I'm not telling..

The term 'Omnipticon'- many are watching the many (Rosen,J., 2004) can easily instill a sense of fear and heightened awareness among us. Knowing that strangers are scrutinizing our lives and monitoring our behavior, privacy is being put at stake. However, the need to be accepted in a society, to be recognized and to be able to stand out in a crowd, people are willing to risk privacy and expose themselves. The dilemma then is how do people maintain at least a certain amount of privacy but at the same time letting people know more about themselves. It seems that privacy is at the losing end. According to a survey conducted by MSNBC.com, 60% of Americans feel that their privacy is slipping away and that it bothers them. (Sullivan,B., 2006). Unfortunately the statistic remains only as a statistic. Only a small percentage of people alter their behavior to protect their privacy.

Being involved in a few online communities myself, i seldom face any difficulties in maintaining privacy mostly because the anonymous setting allows me to reserve the right to self revelation. On the other hand, i find myself wanting to reveal a little bit more so as to get accepted. As what Rosen (2004) has mentioned in his article 'The Naked Crowd', trustworthiness and intimacy are achieved through revealing details of one's personal lives. With the advent of blogs and personal websites, one can easily know about another person daily lives and activities. Getting more personal online, people believe that they are being heard and recognized. There is an innate desire to be known to everyone. The line between privacy and self exposure is a blur now.

People need to understand that there are certain information that are appropriate to reveal to friends which are not appropriate to reveal to the world. For example I would prefer to let people know details of myself that are relevant to which community I am in. I feel it is unnecessary to disclose personal information such as my daily activities, marital status or income. In an article written by Gary Marx (2004), we need both liberty and order, a little bit of privacy and anonymity. He also mentioned that being anonymity can hide dastardly details and visibility can prove accountability. But, too much visibility can hinder freedom of expression, creativity and risk-taking. I strongly agree in his point of view, which i think is especially applicable in a Singapore context. Unlike the Americans, Singaporeans are a more reticent group of people. While Americans are anxious in creating an identity and joining the Naked Crowd, we value privacy a little bit more. There is no doubt however that we are also moving in the graphomania stage where there is a longing to express ourselves in writing before unknown readers (Rosen, J. 2004). But again, we have to consider the risks that might be involved if we disclose too much. Privacy needs to be taken into account no matter how much we want to be included in society. Trading privacy for the 'illusion' of being accepted may not be worth it in the long run.

Reference

Marx, G,T. (2004). Surveillance and society. Encyclopedia of Social Theory. Retrieved March 8, 2007, from http://web.mit.edu/gtmarx/www/surandsoc.html

Rosen, J. (2004). The Naked Crowd. Retrieved March 8, 2007, from http://www.spiked-online.com/Printable/0000000CA5FF.htm

Sullivan, B. (2006). Privacy Lost: Does Anybody Care?. Retrieved March 8, 2007, from http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15221095/print/1/displaymode/1098/