The Power of Collective Voices

In the realm of free speech and true democratic discussion, nowhere is the gift of modern communications more prevalent than in the new worthwhile pastime of blogging and a new fact in news reporting that is rapidly gaining foothold in global press - Citizen Journalism. A wave of Citizen Journalism is infiltrating the media at an alarming rate. It is redefining the role of the traditional journalist and taking his audience too.

 I'd like to admit that I have never heard of this term, Citizen Journalism until the end of last year. I'm disgraced by this fact, but! I'm making admendments and am constantly reading many different Citizen Journals in Singapore! These journals have opened my eyes to many "unseen secrets" of the agony of being a Singaporean. Well, there are the good and also the bad, let's see some of our very own sucessful Citizen Journal that have managed to twist the mind of law-abiding citizens here in our homeland.

Before we start, the meaning of Citizen Journalism is basically "private individuals do essentially what professional reporters do – report information". It promotes proactiveness and participation amongst individuals. For me, I really agree the defnition on Wikipedia, it is defined as the "rightful democratic ways of giving honest news". It is not true that I doubt our very own news owned by Singapore Press Holdings, like The Straits Time. But it is undeniable that you can so much more "realness" and "authenticity" displayed by Singaporeans in the Citizen Journals. I like to see how their blunt and straightforward opinions regarding the practices by our government are so bold and really speaks up a lot for other fellow citizens. In a sense, we become the media and have caused a significant paradigm shift from the traditional newspaper to journal articles. Because of the wide dispersion of so many excellent tools for capturing live events -- from tiny digital cameras to videophones - the average citizen can now make news and distribute it globally, an act that was once the province of established journalists and media companies.

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THE POWER OF CITIZEN JOURNALISM

1. INFORMATION FILLER

"For millions around the world, Twitter, Facebook and You Tube are now the preferred choice when important news breaks."

Citizens are not only the one to be informed, but we are also the informers.When the new of the recent tragic Japan Earthquake Tsunami happened, the first thing I went to was, Facebook. And many of my friends went to their Twitter accounts to check out if other people actually tweeted about it.

It seems that people are more interested to read what other people write about, rather than supposedly more credible sources like Channel New Asia, or BBC. Probably because it is easier and more accessible.

But, will online journals ever take over traditional media? My answer is no, the tradtional media is highly credible and powerful. But it is inevitable that in a few years, I'd think that traditional old newspapers will eventually disappear and a more powerful cyber army of internet news portals will take over. New studies and current surveys indicate a worldwide surge in the increase of traffic in certain news websites and a slow but steady decline in print broadsheet circulation. As the traditionally elite newspaper culture is torn down by digital media, more among the internet-savvy generation will offer revolutionary alternatives to the previously silent masses.

2. PARTICIPATORY CULTURE:

Journalism of the people, by the people, for the people.

By giving a voice to the masses who really matter in this world, the portals of citizen media have started a silent revolution. Citizens Journalist are free to contribute what they have to say, anytime and anywhere on the net they want. And most of them actually believe that their opinions are valued. Which is proven in many of our own Singapore Citizen Journals.

 

The Online Citizen and The Temesek Review are actually two of the most popular Singapore Citizen Journals. They work on the basic purpose of an "online citizen" - to promote free speech and transparency. Basically, to not be a YES-MEN and heed every society norm. I have read some articles from TR and I must say that it have really triggered thoughts in me that I've never had as a Singaporean. Needless to say, on each post, there are almost hundreds of comments left by netizens. It has helped us to create a voice among the younger generations (as we are more prone to read online news), and kept us in the loop of politics in Singapore.

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By giving a voice to the masses who really matter in this world, the portals of citizen media have started a silent revolution that soon will tear down the remaining pockets of tyranny and fogs of darkness enshrouding the other side of the digital divide. True, there is much work to be done. More than half of Earth's six billion plus of living people remain without access to electricity, much less to the wonders of computers and technology. Half of the world's population still live in utter darkness and semi-ignorance. It is the duty for the connected and enlightened half to lift them out misery by logging-on and uniting in calling to worldwide change.

Citizen journalists therefore have a great mission and duty to lift humanity to even greater heights. Let us unite and forge a mighty cohesive thrust in effecting a total global transformation. A mighty workhorse in the form of internet is waiting to be tapped in this glorious and beneficent undertaking. Together, as idealistic cyber knights, we can all thunder across the digital void in leading the charge to breaking down the barriers to total change and prosperity for all.