The New Face Of 21st Century Journalism
Start writing a post
Student Life

The New Face Of 21st Century Journalism

How People Like You Are Changing The News World

75
The New Face Of 21st Century Journalism
www.cosmopolitan.com

Recently, I started watching “The Newsroom,” a relevant, intelligent TV show about a news anchor and his intriguing team of producers and reporters. In one of the episodes, the crew covers the Arab Spring movement in Egypt and, in response to a desperate need for a reporter “on the ground,” they hire an Egyptian citizen to cover the protests on his Kodak camera. In this way, the crew and, by extension, the world, is able receive live footage from the perspective of an average, everyday Egyptian citizen. Well, “average” and “everyday” except for the fact that he became a reporter of one of the 21st century's most important events.

This example may be from a fictional TV show but it has a very solid foundation in reality. For instance, all over the Middle East, normal citizens have been able to give the world a peek at the repressive regimes they live during, say, the Arab Spring movements, through the use of cell phones (this is according to geography textbook authors Pulsipher, Pulsipher, & Goodwin in their 2014 book). The movement also spans all different age ranges and stations in life because Bruce Mutsvairo, Senior Lecturer in Journalism at Northumbria University, claims that “students need to know their main competitor isn’t just a journalist from the crosstown rival newspaper but also anyone owning a smartphone.” Really, all over the world, “the news industry" is "changing at such a dizzying speed" that "it would seem as if the time has come for us to accept citizen journalists as active players in the news business.”

From the invention of the printing press, to the first published newspaper in America in 1690, to the first ever 1930 news broadcast, to the first publicly televised news show in 1939, the world has seen a study progression in the way that information is both identified as “news-worthy” and spread abroad to the general public. Now, however, with the onset of social media, the dissemination and the selection of material is the hands of the people in an unprecedented way. It is no longer news anchors, production teams, and certified journalists and reporters who determine what people should know: the general population is joining the choir with thousands upon thousands of different, unique, invaluable harmonies, all reflecting a myriad of races, cultures, ethnicities, preferences, outlooks, and goals.

The fact that “at any point, anyone can become the most important journalist in the world” (according to digital journalist Tim Pool) can also be an important safeguard for cultures the world over. Thinking back over the broad sweep of history, the press has been used far too often in the abuse of government and as a tool in the hands of oppressive dictators and political leaders (the example of the Soviet Union comes to mind). Now, however, as we have seen in the case of the Arab Spring movement, the everyday citizen is no longer completely unarmed: cell phones and social media allow the world at large to act as a jury on the actions of leaders and movements all over the globe due to the enterprising efforts of men, woman, and young people who are making use of 21st century technology.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
the beatles
Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

19 Lessons I'll Never Forget from Growing Up In a Small Town

There have been many lessons learned.

70873
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

132465
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments