Mass Media and Society!
Citizen Journalists
What is the role of the professional journalist? What do we mean when we say that in today’s era we have expanded this role to include citizen journalists? Does this affect how we share news and information in a free society?
Think about the traditional work and role of the journalist as you approach this question. Consider the journalists portrayed in the movie, All the President’s Men, who were real-life journalists in the 1970s. Then consider how the role of journalists have changed, including how social media is creating a form of citizen journalist where everyone with access to a smartphone and the internet can film, post, and circulate stories of interest.
Answer the following in a thoughtful 1-to-2 page response:
⊛ What is the role of the professional journalist?
⊛ What do we mean when we say that in today’s era we have expanded this role to include citizen journalists?
⊛ Does this affect how we share news and information in a free society?
⇒ It may be helpful to review these two resources that further describe All the President’s Men. This link describes the work of Woodward and Bernstein from a journalist’s point of view: https://www.washingtonpost.
⇒This link leads to the PDF that includes the question sheet to gain background: http://jea.org/wp-content/
Answer previewMass Media and Society reflects our culture. Mass media forms the modern culture of a free society where individuals have freedom of expression. The role of a professional journalist is gathering and dissemination of current information to the public. A journalist is not supposed to be biased; therefore should not alter or modify the content of news but instead should spread the information as it is. For example, if the news outcomes might affect a person or a group of people negatively, a journalist should not try to alter the news’ content in favor of the victims. Journalists should interact with the public to discover people’s interests and also gather first-hand news from them. Gathering information from the public requires methods like interviews and direct observation. A professional…(400 words)