“We the Media” Chapters 6 & 12
Nov 11th, 2008 by Sams
In Chapter 6 of We the Media, Dan Gillmor discusses how professional journalists and media organizations can utilize information provided by informal sources to strengthen their work and better serve their audience. I agree with Gillmor that audience input strengthens work and that advances in technology have made this easier. In the past, one of the only ways for readers to voice their opinions to publications was formally, through “Letters to the Editor” columns. Now readers can informally provide their input or ask questions by posting comments or contacting writers directly.
Gillmor believes that blogs haven’t taken off in mainstream media because editors are afraid that the genre undermines the core values of journalism. Unlike Gillmor, however, I don’t think that such concerns are overblown. Publications should protect their reputation by ensuring that reporters do not betray their biases through irresponsible blogs. Opinions have a place in formal publications, the editorial page. I agree with Gillmor, however, when he says blogs can be unbiased. Self-aware, critical individuals can write factually and objectively, but, without any editorial filter they can also inadvertently stray from the core principals and ethics of journalism. Gillmor addresses this issue at the end of the chapter when he says: “No matter which tools and technologies we embrace, we must maintain core principles, including fairness, accuracy, and thoroughness” (134).
The staff that I am a part of in the communications office covers a relatively small community. Consequently, internet searches, tips from community members and weekly meetings usually generate enough story topics, although, undoubtedly we miss some or fail to cover others in a timely fashion. As such, I found the community organization and involvement undertaken by iCan to be really interesting. While a project of that magnitude out of reach for many news organizations I like the idea that, “the job of the journalist, more than ever, is to be a filter” (125). If the community has an effective way to communicate what they want to know about then as a writer you always know the story matters and will be read.
The biggest obstacle to the proliferation and legitimization of grassroots journalism will be money. I am skeptical of the idea that enough non-professional journalists—who produce professional work— will emerge to truly challenge Big Media because few people care enough, are willing to work for nothing (or next to nothing), or have enough free time to devote to journalistic endeavors. That’s not to say that no one will, however, and those who do, and the audience they attract, are capable of getting the attention of Big Media.
I may be naïve about the media’s motivations—why and how they choose to cover stories—but I believe that most media sources do the best they can to give the people what they want by addressing issues that are important to people and will interest them. I want to believe that Big Media is paying attention to grassroots media outlets. Why would media ignore the people when they have everything to gain by listening? Yet the people have to make themselves heard, and ultimately that is the point Gillmor is trying to make throughout the entire book. New technology has made grassroots journalism possible in a way that it wasn’t before. At the same time, “this new media has created, or at least exacerbated, difficult issues of credibility and fairness” (238). Grassroots journalism has, and will continue to contribute to increased transparency and I agree with Gillmor that more transparency is always better than less. As this occurs it will become all the more important for journalists, professional or otherwise, to slough through the overwhelming amounts of information out there to accurately and concisely cover topics of interest. This must occur or the public will become more cynical towards the media. Ultimately, while the proliferation of information may make jobs in media and communications more difficult, I believe it will make it more relevant and enjoyable.