citizen journalism
Posted on: 18/05/2011
Citizen journalism is a term used that basically describes the public being active members in the making of news stories. I first came across the term when reading a book edited by Stuart Allan. I think that technology has been an amazing tool in the race to make things more transparent and ‘fair.’
Examples of citizen journalism have been seen all over the world from; the Egyptian revolution to the recent Royal wedding. Twitter and Facebook are seen to be the main factors in the revolution in Egypt and has helped a passive audience to become more active and I had to laugh when I seen ‘Russell Howard’s good news’ and heard him talk about how within hours there was a ‘Pippa Middleton ass appreciation society’ page on Facebook!
What does this mean for the future of journalism though? Is it right for journalists to rely on information that is put up on twitter? Should we basically rely on ‘hear say?’
I personally have the opinion that everything is good in moderation; it has potential but needs to be controlled. Mobile phones seem to be the main advantage for me. We have been able to bring quite a few people to justice and see the truth about what happens by people getting there mobile phones out and recording what is happening around them. I recently heard a story about a man who wanted to make a protest against the Royal family; it was a peaceful protest away from the Royal Wedding and he had informed the police of everything he was going to do. Eventhough this was the case the police went down on the day and arrested him and man-handled him. His wife had recorded everything that had happened as proof of what they did to him. There was also the man who got killed by the police officer at the protest; thanks to mobile phones, evidence was provided that showed the abuse the man received and the culprit was brought to justice.
What are your opinion on citizen journalism? What is the future for it?
Until next time…
PR and Social Media
Posted on: 15/05/2011
I am having a battle with myself. Part of me is starting to come round to the ideas of social media (in a general sense) but I am still not sure in relation to PR. I can see how social media has brought people together from all over the world through social networks like; Facebook, Skype, MSN, etc, and that I think is something good.
Social media have give a once silent majority a voice, all people see this as a good thing but is it? Social media has also given way to people putting false information up for their own personal reasons and it has also given way to those who just really shouldn’t be heard.
I was thinking back to the recent ‘burning of the Qur’an’ situation in America. I can’t help but feel that if social media wasn’t as present as it is there wouldn’t have been such an issue; people around the world wouldn’t really have known about it and the hate, anger and anguish that occurred because of ONE man’s opinions wouldn’t have happened.
In terms of PR I can see the benefit; it allows you to reach a much broader audience in a much more efficient way, but I don’t think that social media should be the ONLY form of PR. I remember back to a comment made by Phil Young about how ‘all PR is online PR’ and I have to agree but not be happy about it.
I got into PR because of the likes of Edward Bernays. His smoking campaign (below) and President profiles were something to be amazed by; granted I don’t necessarily agree with the ’causes’ but I do appreciate the technical skill behind his work. Now I feel that we are loosing that excitement in PR; it just doesn’t seem fun anymore.
I was also basically advised that if I don’t know the in’s and out’s of social media then I wouldn’t really be in with a chance in the PR sector. Is this fair? Should I be discriminated against because I don’t have a great love of social media? Should I be pushed into a corner and accept defeat or fight my corner? I think back to Mars Dorian’s comments in his article about having ‘attitude‘ in your blogs and how you should have your own opinion, but is that really a possibility. We’re all so scared into saying ‘yes sir, no sir, 3 bags full sir,’ that we actually forget that we have our own opinions!
I don’t know, maybe I’m just being nostalgic about the ‘good old days!’
What do you think? Is social media ruining PR? Or am I just living in a dream world and not realising what is right and wrong?
Until next time… 🙂
Inspire
Posted on: 11/05/2011
I just read this article on twitter by Mars Dorian. He talks about how people should just say what they actually feel and not keep worrying about what others think! He gives advice on how to make your online presence successful. It put a smile on my face.
It’s true what he says, we spend our time trying to please everyone that we completely kill our own personalities. We all have opinions, that’s what makes us individual. If we all just turn into sheep’s how can we stand out from the crowd, like he says; in order to be professional you don’t have to lose yourself!!! Thanks Dorian 🙂
Enjoy the article and let me know what you think: http://ow.ly/1cz46c
Until next time…
PR’s inferiority complex
Posted on: 10/05/2011
I read this article on twitter by the MD of Digital at Edelman for EMEA Marshall Manson and thought that some people might be interested:
It’s an article about PR having an inferiority complex and how we need to worry less about the ‘labels’ that are given to us. He says a lot of good things that I think people feel but don’t actually say. Enjoy! 🙂
Until next time…
QR Codes
Posted on: 09/05/2011
Today I got a pizza leaflet through my door today, nothing unusual, except this on had a QR code on it!
Before my social media class I hadn’t really come across QR codes and didn’t understand what they did, but since then I’m finding them everywhere. Now I’m not one to get impressed by ‘new phenomenons’ but this surprised me.
So what are ‘QR codes’? Well although they have only just become commonly used in the UK recently they have been around since 1994. They were made by a sub company of Toyota and QR is short for quick response.
In a social media class Nadia Malik showed the class a video I’ll never forget (below). It was about how QR codes, or ‘parkodes’ as they called them, had been used as a means to revamp visits to central park and get the younger generation more involved. I was amazed by it and can’t wait to use it as part of a PR campaign one day.
What are your views on QR codes? What will the next step be? I have even seen them on billboards now! My only concern is, is this yet another thing that is going to replace people’s jobs? Can we really afford to lose anymore jobs?
Until next time…. 🙂
Social media revolution
Posted on: 08/05/2011
I was sitting today, reflecting about the year that has passed. It has only been a short time but so far we have seen many a revolution and this seems to be the theme for 2011. I was thinking about the start of the revolutions and what part social media had to play in it.
A lot of people felt that the main reason this revolution was able to happen (remember not why but how) was due to the use of social media; twitter, facebook, youtube, etc. Many people have been sick in Egypt for a long time but their voices were not heard, but even with my opinions being the way they are I have to agree that what made this revolution possible was the ‘young’ generation of Egypt because of the fact that they are all internet savvy. They were able to make their voices heard throughout the world; even if nobody wanted to hear them, until they couldn’t be ignored.
We all understand how politics work and what happens behind closed doors, but could the social media help with more transparency in politics? And help with our everlasting fight for change? What are everyone’s opinions on the revolution? Do you think it could have happened without social media? It hadn’t happened until now, so….
What ever the case maybe and whatever the reason I am happy and proud that they have made this change and set a standard for the rest of the world. They have shown that change can happen and that once again it comes from the will of the common man; as the saying goes, where there’s a will there’s a way! Well done Egypt and the other countries that are following suit. 😉
Until next time…. 🙂
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