This week’s presentation is mainly focuses on the question “Are bloggers journalists?”. To answer this question, we should firstly understand what is journalists, what requires them to do, and how do bloggers publish news or information. Journalists write professionally about world issues, local news, comments, fashion trends and etc. There is a great amount of responsibility a journalist faces when presenting material to the public. There are a number of requirements for a professional journalist. Firstly, journalists and reporters have the responsibility to inform the public and keep a watchful eye on the public. They have to provide the fresh and accurate information to the public. They gather the facts and check to make sure they are all accurate.
However, it is no doubt that journalism is in the digital age, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Blogs, applications in Iphone, these are all the platforms for people to sharing information. A blog is instant publishing, and it lets anyone to post any type of digital file, including text, pictures, sound, and video.
To say bloggers are journalists is like saying that web pages are journalism. However, everyone can summit and share information online, and no one can ensure all the contents are accurate. So, in my opinion, I agree with Suzanne’s group that bloggers cannot be considered as journalists.
However, as mentioned by our tutor Jason, if the bloggers are journalists, my answer will change.
I also do agree with the presentation group's conclusion - bloggers can not be considered as journalists. Journalists are required to report accurate news/information in an objective way. Traditional media practitioners, such as television journalists and newspapers/magazine journalists, who are regulated with a certain news systems. For instance, editors have to review journalists' news articles in newsrooms. However, because less controlling in the Internet, those bloggers may post any news/information whether it is accurate or not. I think the quality of bloggers' posts are determined by their conscience and moral code. In addition, I also agree with Mr. Jason's views of tech (new media) is useful in case of some accidents. The Internet has the function to spread information speedy.
ReplyDeleteGuo Lihui (Tutorial C1)