M7.1

As most of us in COMM 2F00 know by now, the selection of tools offered to us to participate in the internet are in the hundreds if not yet thousands. And, it doesn't take an education in social media to know that. In the past, citizen journalism was of course very limited and exclusive to those who had the time and money to participate. However, today there are many why engage in citizen journalism more as a fact of life online.

The most major opportunity here I believe is noted by Bruns and Highfield in saying now, no piece of journalism is ever finished in a sense. Sure there are "final" versions that make it to the news papers or the news corporation's website, but in this day of social integration via the internet the story will always evolve further and relatively easily through today's social media technologies. Hermida largely agrees with Bruns and Highfield on the new constructive nature of journalism and offers the explanation that professional journalists today act more so as curators of information rather than the ultimate authorities they used to be. Although, yes they do have some bias and authority that can come through their interpretations. This, I think, has diminished over the years since the internet boom and is even accounted for by the vast majority of citizen journalists.

I definitely believe all of these new tools encourage the majority of people online to participate. After all, it is what drives traffic. High engagement of online content is largely what many of new journalists are after. The more sharing options an article or other piece of news has increase its potential to be shared among circles of Facebook friends, to start being retweeted, and to become completely viral. Compatibility with the current major hubs of this type of social sharing like Facebook and Twitter is a must in this new world if your goal is widespread, participatory coverage.

When it comes to me personally, I also have to say yes. What is genius about how information flows on a vast array of topics online is very similar to real life experiences like the classic example of a barbershop, "Oh, I heard from so and so that...". The game breaking difference here that has been driving a lot of this interaction and exposure is that the internet and its social media tools are organized like a individual and virtual pan-opticon for each of us in which not only can everyone see what you're up to, everyone can see what everyone else is talking about and learn their thoughts, feelings and opinions as well. Because I'm usually getting this media fed to me through someone I know personally, I am much more inclined to engage and share my thoughts on whatever the matter may be.