Unity Between Citizen and Professional Journalist

Professional journalists would not be as successful as they are without the help of citizen journalists. Citizens are the spinning wheel that runs society. Without their contributions to the world, alongside journalists, we would not know the information we do today. News is the constant medium that connects the world. Contributions from all over make a huge difference when attempting to gather information to inform the world. Citizens and professional journalists must work together in order to spread the most accurate truth. Citizens always help to add another layer when gathering information but how you may wonder?

Citizens are able to constantly aid professional journalists in gathering crucial information. Citizens are able to get in and out of places they aren't allowed too without as much consequence that a professional would get in. Citizens normally have eye-witness accounts of different events so their experiences are much fresher and more helpful to journalists. Professional journalists also benefit from immediate access to news which gives them an edge on other news outlets racing for the same story. The immediate access to information is almost as crucial as are photos. The eye-witness experiences by citizens also allow them to gather crisp and real photos. Another benefit for professional journalists is the traveling aspect. If they aren't able to travel to a certain area or go somewhere, they can count on citizens to aid them.

Professional journalists must be careful however that the information and photos they receive are accurate. Citizens and professional journalists must always be positive that the information they are publishing and presenting is 100% correct and truthful. An example of why professional journalists must be positive of their information is the incident when it was reported that Steve Jobs was rushed to the hospital due to heart complications. This was not the truth and it caused Apple's stock to decrease by 9% in a matter of minutes. Steve Jobs Fake Story A much more positive and helpful example is the constant information professional journalists receive from citizens within Syria. Citizens are able to provide footage, news and photos from events in Syria that are too dangerous or impossible for professional journalists to go to. Syrian Citizen Media

Citizens and professional journalists must work together to provide the world with the crucial information that keeps it ticking and informed. The ability to have immediate access to eye-witness accounts make professional journalists much more efficient at their jobs. Citizens in their own way are journalists of the people.