What’s your take on citizen journalism?

[Brooks127]

A lot of podcasters read news articles and offer their commentary. Many argue they’re offering something better than main stream news by providing overlooked information, yet one of the complaints about main stream news is reliance on personal commentary.

So...

Is citizen journalism a podcaster reading news and commenting on it, or is it going out into the community to report on things happening within the community?

[Mr. P]

I don't have too much experience with citizen journalism. But I think we need to realize that reporting and commentary are two totally different things. Maybe people conflate the two IMO. Commentary is fine. Reporting is what should be sought out if your goal is to be educated on facts.

On a side note, anyone follow Beau of the Fifth Column? I find his analysis of things to be well thought out and very educative.

[Brooks127]

But I think we need to realize that reporting and commentary are two totally different things.

I agree. To me there is a difference. I’m okay with a person sitting in a chair without notes or news article talking about what they believe is the case or happening. I see that as commentary and interpretation to be taken as no more than someone’s opinion. At that point, they might as well be posting old school audio files found through RSS.

But lines get blurred when one moves from holding a beer at waist level to a professional looking home studio dedicated to the task of informing the public. At this point, I see them as doing nothing more than emulating the main stream news agencies they claim to refute and trying to convince a contributing public they deserve its money. I'm not against the donating. I understand what it means to be broke, but I simply can’t see the argument one is better than the other. Unless a person’s going out and doing actual reporting from the street, I have a hard time thinking of them as a journalist.

[Mr. P]

True, I do not think of these internet folks as journalists at all (at least in general), just like I don't think of say Rachel Maddow or Tucker Carlson as true journalists. They are commentary. They are probably more researched than some person in a home studio, but maybe not. I will say Rachel seems more researched and rational than Tucker...but my position remains that I don't go to these two for strict facts.

I also agree that there is value in either off the cuff or researched commentary. It's similar to having a conversation, although one sided unless there is an interactive component to engage with the creator. It is always good to be open to different takes on issues. Just sad to see so many folks taking opinion and baseless statements and making those the basis of their belief and worldview (even if the creator has a nice home studio and green screen chicanery.) Do some research dammit!

[Brooks127]

Do some research dammit!

I totally agree, and I doubt the big name celebrity commentators are as researched as they claim just as I doubt they write their own books. I don't watch as much 24/7 news as I used to as I enjoy reading the news more, but nevertheless, I'm supposed to believe somebody with an eight hour work day in front of cameras and long list of scheduled speaking events finds time to write two books a year!?

With that noted, I do miss Current TV. Al Gore was a founder of that channel. It's how I learned about Occupy Wall Street, and I think for a lot people our first look at alternative news. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Current_TV

If podcasters serve any purpose for me aside from entertainment, it's to inform me about pending legislation not talked about in main stream news. I learn about something and then check it out for myself.

[Mr. P]

Well I do suggest giving Beau a view or three. I just find him very thoughtful and he presents rationally. Definitely leans left, but that's better than the alternative IMO.

[Brooks127]

I watched some of his videos. It seems like he tries to answer the bigger questions outside the box. I have a few friends who debate like he does. They're the kind of people who end up staying after everyone's left. Many a night I've set up talking with them. Good conversations.

[LanDroid]

I think commentators who have expertise in the subject matter improve the discussion. Rachael Maddow for example has a doctorate in political science from Oxford University. Ari Berman is a lawyer. Compare that with Sean Hannity who dropped out of two colleges.

A podcast that might be of interest is Gaslit Nation. This is led by two experts in autocracy, both have advanced degrees, observed dictatorial machinations in Ukraine and Russia, and apply that experience to US politics.

...anyone follow Beau of the Fifth Column
...Well I do suggest giving Beau a view or three. I just find him very thoughtful and he presents rationally. Definitely leans left, but that's better than the alternative IMO.

I don't know what you are on about. Are you too lazy to post a link or am I too lazy to Google it?

[Brooks127]

A podcast that might be of interest is Gaslit Nation.

Thanks, I'll check it out.

[Mr. P]

I don't know what you are on about. Are you too lazy to post a link or am I too lazy to Google it?

It was definitely the former... And I was at work.

Beau OTFC