Citizen Journalism..yay or nay?

It seems like many journalists get their tail feathers all ruffled when talk of citizen journalism erupts, as if the internet-launched phenomenom is some kind of invading alien race out for our blood. As if they're riding on the sweat and toil of hardworking journalists everywhere by usurping the title bestowed upon journalists during the "secret knighting ceremony", which involved a king on a tripod, and instead of a sword, a pen.

Can't we make love, instead of war when it comes to the feuding journalists and citizens? Is this a Romeo and Julet story where two star crossed lovers are separated by feuding families, or is it just ludicrous?

The truth of the matter is, everyone has a right to express their opinion and bring issues to the table. Before the inernet became a megaphone for the masses there weren't many outlets for everyday people to voice their concerns about health care, women's rights, the government, foreign relations, and more essential issues like beauty tips, 15 ways to keep your man satisfied in bed, and Britney Spears' latest mental breakdown.

It all boils down to being an observant and conscious consumer of information, and realizing that some proffesional news is biased, controlled by a massive commercial enterprise, and tends to reproduce race, sexuality, gender and age stereotypes through the types of stories they run, and those that they exclude. News can never be perfect, becuase there will always be important issues that are never addressed, and those with the financial power to run newspapers and newscasts can have biased opinions expressed in their content. This is more blaringly obvious in media like CNN and Fox News, which, compared to CBC's The National, resembles the equivalent of a freakshow tabloid.

Consumers of internet generated news/blogs should also be aware that the accuracy of information isn't always top notch. Think Wikipedia....or say, this blog. If you’re going to go out there and surf for information do your homework and ensure that you’re not being taken for a ride. Especially if its blindfolded, in the truck of a beat up van that smells like cats and marijuana.

Still, everyone wants to be heard and some people address issues through their blogs that aren't covered by conventional news. A lot of activism has grown from blogging/ effective internet sites, and any course of positive action is worth it, no matter how few actually take action. So there are pros and cons to both side of the coin. But even though they may not derserve the noble title of journalist, they do deserve some respect and some credit.

In the words of the great Amanda Marshall, "Everybody's got a story."