It's Our World, It's Our Media...

It's true that the news is swayed by news reporters, producers, and editors. Despite how much those who report the news try to approach their reports with an unbiased attitude, the news always will be slightly influenced by their values or interests. It's unrealistic to think that the news will ever be completely unbiased.

The whole concept of citizen journalism seems to be a way to address this problem in news reporting. This movement allows the readers, everyday citizens, to interact with or become a part of the news reporting process. Citizen journalism bridges the gap between the news reporters and the viewers, readers, listeners, etc. And perhaps this is a good thing...or maybe it's a little bit dangerous...

I used to think that citizen journalism was just a little bit too risky for the news business. For example, companies constantly would need to check if someone posted anything objectionable or obscene online.

However, after reviewing the OurMedia Web Site, a Web site that relies on content from everyday citizens, I was relieved to find a sense of balance between freedom and security in the site's approach. OurMedia uses the slogan: channels of creativity. The Web site allows registered users, everyday people, to display their own work: video, music, photos, audio clips, and other personal media. This gives these users a way to promote their personal media to the public for free.

CyberJournalist has started to create a list of citizen journalism sites in order to try and keep up with this growing phenomenon. OurMedia was included on this list. CyberJournalist's description of OurMedia gave me a better idea of what the company was trying to accomplish...

OurMedia's goal is to expose, advance and preserve digital creativity at the grassroots level. The site serves as a central gathering spot where professionals and amateurs come together to share works, offer tips and tutorials, and interact in a combination community space and virtual library that will preserve these works for future generations.

The Web site's layout and content demonstrates these goals. On a side bar, anyone can sign up to become a member of this site. Only members can upload their work; however, everyone can view the video, audio, and photos. On the top of the page, people can choose whether to look at a specific channel, check out the producers (aka everyday people who post media to the site), and visit a variety of blogs. In the middle of the page, people can listen to any of the music streaming on the OurMedia site or hear any of the featured podcasts. The bottom of the page includes a section called Community Talk that allows users the opportunity to publicize a certain event or issue they think is important to share with the general public. In addition, the page displays on the side bar those users who are currently online along with how many guests are visiting the Web site. I was surprised that the people visiting the site were from all over the globe.

I think OurMedia has the right idea when it comes to designing a citizen journalism Web site. Not only does the site go beyond just publishing print, it encourages sharing all kinds of media with the world's community. Plus, OurMedia is attempting to monitor the content of the media published on the site by making sure everyone has to register as a member before they can upload anything. This provides OurMedia with a safety net to fall back on in order to protect the company if someone posts anything inappropriate or controversial.

I think it's important for everyday people to interact more with the media today, and OurMedia is giving the public this opportunity while using a safe approach.