Citizen who tweeted raid on bin Laden compound provides challenge to traditional definition of journalist

In GigaOM, Mathew Ingram says the Pakistan computer programmer in Abbottabad who live-tweeted the U.S. raid on Osama bin Laden’s compound deserves the label of “citizen journalist.” As mainstream journalists have done in reporting live events, the man answered questions, sought and shared news reports, traded what he knew with others to find out what [...]

Libel rules with impunity on social network

The younger generation is filing few libel suits for such as lies and character assassination, fueling speculation that they have greater tolerance of “hurly, burly Internet conversation.” Or is it just that young people realize that bloggers have limited resources, decimating the chances of obtaining damages? -db From the Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune, March 14, [...]

YouTube plans clandestine citizen video journalism project

YouTube is developing a journalism project in San Francisco using citizen journalists with smart phones to link with professional journalists to get the news out through video. -db Online Media Daily June 18, 2010 By Gavin O’Malley YouTube is working on some clandestine journalism project in San Francisco, according SFWeekly, citing a report bySFAppeal blogger [...]

Opinion: Time for bloggers to gain protections afforded traditional media

With more of the public gaining their news from online sources rather than print media and using the social media to become more interactive and participatory in accessing the news, a CMLP blogger argues that bloggers should be entitled to the same protection as mainstream press. -db Citizen Media Law Project Commentary March 1, 2010 [...]

YouTube provides way to connect news outlets with citizen journalists

YouTube Direct allows news agencies to gain access to content on Google’s video site uploaded daily by citizen journalists. -DB Online Media Daily November 17, 2009 By Laurie Sullivan Google is unveiling a tool Tuesday that enables traditional television and online news agencies to create a platform to manage a bureau of citizen journalists. These [...]

Bloggers cut from senate shield law

Under both House and Senate versions of the federal shield law, only employed journalists will be protected. A former Christian Science Monitor editor says the failure to include citizen journalists ignores the reality of the modern era and who provides accurate, up-to-date news. -DB Citizen Media Law Project Commentary September 28, 2009 By Arthur Bright [...]