Citizen Journalism is a concept that advances the idea through which everyday citizens take a more active role in the news process. It is often referred to as new media and includes everything from comments on blogs and news sites to bloggers scooping stories or exposing the mainstream media reports for incorrect or incomplete reporting. It also identifies bias by certain reporters or news outlets and attempts to give voice to the both sides on controversial issues.

Sometimes called grassroots journalism it is seen by some news outlets as a threat to journalistic integrity. Citizen journalists, however, believe that their methods hold news organizations to higher standards. While news organizations don’t really have a problem with citizen journalism when it’s a case of citizens bringing in a useful story or footage they’ve personally captured.

Citizen Journalism has been responsible for pictures and footage of things like celebrities or crimes in progress as well as mundane things that suddenly take on life. In Pakistan there is a wealth of stories and topics that citizen journalists can plunge into and make their own.

Although some journalists seem to feel threatened by citizen journalists who have had no instruction in journalism and may not check facts, the public wants to be given cold, hard facts and be allowed to make up their own minds about what’s right or not. Citizen journalism offers another option.

It is precisely for this reason that Journalism Pakistan invites you to tell us your story; give us your opinion; send us the picture you so wanted the world to see; provide us with that footage that will make a difference. It’s your call.

Be a journalist from your home, from your office… in your spare time.

Check in with your story through JP’s “Report Your News” or “Tip Us Off” features.

Make a difference.

Also check out some of the citizen journalism links that captured our attention.

www.geeklog.net

www.cplash.com

www.paktribune.com

www.chowrangi.com

www.ning.com

www.defence.pk

www.withinandwithout.com

www.pkpolitics.com

www.pakstop.com

www.makepakistanbetter.com

www.pakistanthinktank.org

www.citizen-news.org

www.cjreport.com

www.topix.com