Citizen Journalist

Mr. Owais Mangal Wala, anchor/producer of C.J program, documentary film maker, Dawn News raise a question that ‘What is Citizen Journalism?’ on 29^th January 2011 to the students of Mass  Communication in a seminar held at Jinnah University For Women, Anwer Sultana Auditorium and I’m one of those students. Mr. Owais have very solid points to say. He said:”people who are audience or receiver, when they use tools of Journalism to interact with each other this is called “Citizen Journalism”, where everybody can be a journalist “

Mr. Owais Mangal Wala

Every person has a right to say and share his/her views and people should listen to it, this is Knowledge Democracy.

If citizen journalism is done in right manner this will be very fruitful and if not then it will become very difficult to differentiate between News and Noise. In my opinion Mr. Owais is very talented and open minded because what ever he was saying was very valid and appropriate. He said:”Citizen Journalism is:

Sharing of experience where everybody has right to share their experiences whether it was bad or good.

Sharing of opinion where people are free to write

Sharing of discovery where people are free to share their discovery in their own opinion or from others perspective or by seeing and portraying experiences of others. 

  

He ask another question to the students that:”why you want to do Citizen Journalism?” I answer his question that, “I want to make people and media aware of things that are wrong and we have to make them correct as soon as possible."

Students of Mass Communication

Purpose of Citizen Journalism

1.       Citizen journalism is use to correct media where it was wrong.

2.       It highlights those issues that were not highlighted by the media.

3.       It is for positive promotion.

Essentials points for Citizen Journalist

           I.            Necessity to be real; always be real and do not be fake, stick to the peg.

         II.            Events are all around; don’t wait for the big event to work on. You can work on common events from which you’ve learnt something.

       III.            Express your own point of view and your feelings. Your opinion, your view must be the priority.

       IV.            Don’t even think that the topic you have chosen is boring.

         V.            Be descriptive but don’t be exaggerated. Do not give unnecessary details.

       VI.            Be dead accurate about facts and be aware about your every statement.

     VII.            Proper writing style.

   VIII.            Correct use of words.

       IX.            Code of conduct; make rules for yourself.

         X.            Avoid plagiarism.

       XI.            Try to read news writing process.

     XII.            Find a mentor; learn from them.

   XIII.            Take feedback on your work; take criticism positively to improve yourself.

   XIV.            Keep your eyes open to see every thing.

As I listen to Mr. Owais, each and every point was just penetrate in me and this fill me with new power and enthusiasm to work for the right and wrong & makes people aware about the right and wrong through my experience and my opinion.

“Where there’s a will, there’s a way”

Dawn news is starting their new program named “Meri Nazar” for citizen journalists, where everybody is free to send their self made documentary or report on such topic that needs to emphasize on. They’ll choose one best report of the week and then he or she will be able to work with one of the professionals’ on the same idea to polish their skills.

Dawn news is providing great opportunity to people who want to share their views and events with people to make them aware and think upon it.