How Citizen Journalism Gives the Power to Inform to the Public and Influences Congress

The Power of Citizen Journalism in Informing the Public and Influencing Congress

The rise of citizen journalism has fundamentally changed the way news is reported and consumed. In the past, traditional media outlets had a monopoly on the news, deciding which stories were important and how they were told. But with the advent of social media and other digital platforms, anyone with an internet connection and a smartphone can become a reporter, sharing information and opinions that would have gone unnoticed in the past.

At its core, citizen journalism is about democratizing the news. Through their own channels, citizen journalists can circumvent traditional news gatekeepers and share stories that may have been ignored or downplayed by the mainstream media. This can be especially powerful in holding government officials accountable and influencing public policy.

One example of citizen journalism influencing public policy is the viral video showing the killing of George Floyd by a police officer in Minneapolis in May 2020. The video, recorded by a bystander, sparked nationwide protests and led to renewed calls for police reform. Without the video, the incident may have been ignored or dismissed as an isolated case.

In addition to influencing public policy, citizen journalism can also impact the way lawmakers do their jobs. Congress is notorious for being slow to catch onto public sentiment, but citizen journalism can help bring issues to the forefront and pressure legislators to act. For example, the March for Our Lives movement, led by students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, used social media and other citizen journalism tactics to draw attention to gun violence and advocate for stronger gun control laws.

Of course, there are challenges to citizen journalism as well, including issues with accuracy, bias, and credibility. Unlike professional journalists, citizen journalists may not undergo rigorous fact-checking or have formal training in reporting. However, many citizen journalists are passionate about their work and take pains to ensure their reporting is accurate and unbiased. And while traditional media outlets have mechanisms in place for accountability and transparency, citizen journalism relies on the community to police itself and call out bad actors.

Overall, citizen journalism has the potential to give a voice to those who have been previously ignored or marginalized by the media. While there are certainly challenges to this new paradigm of reporting, the benefits in terms of fostering greater transparency and democratizing the news are undeniable. As citizen journalism continues to grow in influence, it will be interesting to see how it shapes public opinion and impacts policy in the years to come.

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