Citizen journalism is essential

By: Sara Crouse

Everyday citizens are accidental journalists by time, place, and manner, whether they chose to live by the journalists’ code of ethics or not.

In the 21st century news stations and newspapers have become dependent on those citizens who witness breaking news. They have come to rely on the details through firsthand experience often captured by cell phones. Digital cell phone footage has proven to be quite a resource, but not without the careful editorial overlook of the material.

Everyday journalists are providing news consumers with something essential, and that essential item is immediacy. The people of today’s world want to know what is going on around them at all times. The world is far too fast paced to wait for the next morning’s paper. Perhaps the old TV show Early Edition needs to become a reality.

In all honesty though, it doesn’t matter whether we trust the everyday person to record the news for us. We simply enjoy the immediacy and even the feeling of authority by being news gatherers.

Not to mention, who doesn’t like knowing that his/her version of capturing the event could potentially show up on the nightly news? You must admit, it would make you feel special.

Breaking news through cell phone footage is around to stay.