Citizen journalists no threat to professionals, journalism prof argues
In an essay published by the Knight Citizen News Network, Clyde H. Bentley of the University of Missouri’s journalism school sympathetically reviews the historical rise of “citizen journalism” but concludes it should not be viewed as a threat by professional journalists. He says citizen news gatherers and commentators are to journalism what militia members are to the military – people who want to contribute to a vital societal function while leaving the core job to the pros.
In an essay published by the Knight Citizen News Network, Clyde H. Bentley of the University of Missouri’s journalism school sympathetically reviews the historical rise of “citizen journalism” but concludes it should not be viewed as a threat by professional journalists. He says citizen news gatherers and commentators are to journalism what militia members are to the military – people who want to contribute to a vital societal function while leaving the core job to the pros.
