In the technological world we live in today, social media has enabled people to upload materials on specific incidents almost simultaneously as they happen. Physical distance is no longer a barrier because of the international availability and accessibility of information. Frequently, news is reported by citizen journalists, and The London Bombing is a prime example of everyday people partaking in the role of journalists. “The participatory nature of the coverage of the London Bombing eras[ed] the line between those affected by the news and those who cover the news”As stated by Tim Porter a longtime journalist.
A suicide attack by an Islamic terrorist took place on July 7th 2005, at 8:50 am on the London public transportation system. This tragic event was later to be known as the London Bombing. In this attack over 700 people were injured, and fifty-two civilians as well as the four bombers were killed. Because it was difficult and dangerous for professional journalists to get to the scene, the majority of the news coverage came from eye witnesses. News corporations took advantage of citizen journalists, and many news channels aired footage recorded by spectators and victims. BBC allowed users to have 24/ 7 continuous access to their site and created “Your Photo” and “Have Your say” sections on their website inviting witnesses to post their footage and comment on the event. The National Geographic quoted this event to “mark the new role for camera phones”. Many victims of the event also created blogs to report on details of the event and inform their families and friends of their status.
With the unprecedented increase in the use of social media, and the advancement of technology in the past ten years, citizen journalism has begun to thrive, with web sites such as YouTube and Twitter. The London Bombing was one of the first events where the majority of information and footage came from citizen journalists. Although YouTube was launched on February 15th, 2005, after the London Bombing, it has now become a stage for citizen journalists to share their videos and comments. Natural disasters such as the Earthquake and tsunami that occurred last year in Japan, as well as thousands of other pieces of footage taken by citizen journalists, are constantly being uploaded. Internationally, people have access to information posted on the Internet and are able to keep informed and up to date with global news with little to no time delay.
This presentation exemplified how the audience is beginning to participate in the production of news. Considering the fast-paced progression of citizen journalism, and the constant improvement of technology and social media today, it will be interesting as to what journalism evolves into and encompasses in the future.
Maya Sandiford
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