Audience Literacy?

Forbes.com has an interesting, but somewhat pessimistic opinion piece on the business of citizen journalism by Sam Whitmore, who publishes his own blog as well. Whitmore worries not so much about citizen journalists themselves, but rather their audiences:

"So again I ask, is there a business in citizens media? The generations behind us would rather watch and listen than read. They won't tolerate the lunatic fringe. And for my money, they'd rather be pandered to as consumers than fulfill their duties as citizens. I think the answer is no, not so far. Maybe someday. I hope. "

(And thanks to Stephanie Allen for sending us the post). 

Comments

[hannu leinonen]

1) Does business mean making money? So is the question, does citizen journalist get paid? Does the money come from add on blogs or from freelance salary from different sources.

2) Also Sam Whitmore is concerned about literacy, but more of reading and writing. Often we speak of digital literacy and this would include the skills and wills of using blogs and RSS and mobilephone and satelite television. Sam has a "audio feed" a kind of audioblog or his own radiochannel. That is one solution for helping people who don't want to read.

But is there business (money) in this? This is a relevant question only if you need money. Some one can be doing this just to pass the time or to help others of the get recognized:-)

The power of citizen journalism might not be in one individual blogger. It might not be a way to get rich for most of us. It does not have to compite with business of atension (newspapers, broadcasters and so on.)

Power of citizen journalsim might be in the idea of global village. In the idea of 150 persons in a tribe and about 1000 contacts as a personal network. Citizen journalism make you rich in your contacts. People get to know what you what to do and you will find the right contacts to get it done.

[Amy Gahran]

Good points, Hannu

It seems to me that, so far at least, making money has not been a key motivation for most people who create citizen journalism. They do it because they love it -- even if the venues which publish their work profit from it and don't share those profits.

I know that makes many media professionals cringe, but it's true.

Personally, I don't think money is or should be the main point behind citizen journalism. I think an overemphasis on business models before content quality and creativity has stifled the direction of journalism. I don't think that being focused mainly on your organization's own financial gain somehow makes content more credible. In fact, often the opposite occurs.

Also, people can publish (online, at least) citizen journalism and other types of participatory media with ready-made tools at little to no cost. That lessens the pressure for a return on investment somewhat.

That said, I don't see any reason why citizen journalism shouldn't make money. In fact, it probably will at some point. I'm just glad that the future of this type of content doesn't hinge onhaving an immediately successful business model.

Random thoughts, hope this helps.

- Amy Gahran