Citizen Journalism is a quintessential part of the current media environment. Its ability to share information and stories not covered by the mainstream information -or disinformation- channels forces society to be aware of issues that would have been otherwise ignored. It effectively contrasts attempts of censorship or lobbying by powerful entities, and often sparks debate among the public. The internet, as well as readily available technology such as camera phones, also gives the ability to document and prove the truth. Citizen journalism becomes particularly relevant in societies where the media environment is unbalanced, grotesquely biased and more focused on activities such as propaganda instead of information.
Italy is a good example. A country ruled by Silvio Berlusconi, the man who controls private TV, State TV and the press. Among other things, he is the richest man in the country, owns a football team, is constantly subject of court cases, and is rumoured to have close ties to the mafia. Oh, and he is our Prime Minister as well. Italy is a country that, if lacking citizen journalism, would be Zimbabwe-like as far as free speech is concerned. Luckily, a few brave journalists censored by the media can express themselves through the internet and feed us daily stories of corruption, injustice and illegality that would be considered delirious if not backed up by evidence. This contributes in keeping a fair balance on the reality that we are forced to believe.
In the same case as Italy (kind of) Vietnam is the same! There are many people that blog, and most of them get caught if they blog about the wrong thing... most of the international students I have on facebook usually have status's that are music lyrics, uni work, about friends pretty much everything but the news. This is probably because they don't do it when they were in Vietnam and probably is so use to it that they won't even do it even when they are in Australia.
ReplyDeleteI do have friends though, that there status's IS the news pretty much. Scrolling down her page it is filled with news about limewire dying, paul the octopus, Oprah and the list goes on.
Some are addicted to citizen journalism, they just don't know it.
your blog was incredibly enlightening, i wasnt aware that such things event happened in italy. i mean when i picture italy in my head the first thing that comes to mind isnt a society that is being lead by such a harsh and oppressive leader, this really shocked me.
ReplyDeletethough it makes me happy knowing that there are people who are willing to risk themselves to get the truth of what he is really occuring out into the world
i completely agree with ewwlyndel. i can't believe that's what italy is really like! this post was such a shock to me. it seems like such a free country and i couldn't imagine that the media freedom is so restricted. not only does the prime minister control the television and press, but to have rumoured ties with the mafia questions his judgement and what he would allow to be published. it's good to know that blogging has it's positive side for many real journalists, giving them the opportunity to have their say and spread news not only to italians, but worldwide through the internet. let's hope the internet doesn't become heavily censored too.
ReplyDeleteNo matter in which country， freedom of information is one of the basic human right. should no be expropriated. In china some journalists report news make people closer to the truth of the matter. However the goverment persecute those who do not conform to their ideas.
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