The NewsMeBack Blog

JanJan closes their website for citizen journalism

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:53:00 +0000

JanJan news started in 2003 and did great job in giving information and news different from other media, thanks to citizens and contributors. After 7 years they are closing.
As we can see nothing can work without money. Not even citizen journalism. Good will, people, sources and hard work aren’t enough in this world.
Crisis hits everyone and everywhere. Big website with great reputation in Japan closes its door. Without enough financial help, advertises and sponsors, once again we have a proof how hard (impossible) is to maintain independence.
How difficult is to make successful thing and keep it alive longer than few years.
But what are we suppose to do? Probably JanJan needed help from some organization, some encouragement and real help to continue their work in citizen journalism.
Readers are disappointed and everybody who finds citizen journalism in Japan needed. We hope they’ll find money in the future and continue their work.

For more information go to JanJan

Citizen Journalism Interview with FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:49:52 +0000

Is it me or citizen journalism goes everywhere? It’s not me. Citizens who use Internet and feel it like a big part of their lives have great opportunity to ask someone who knows all about it. News for citizens who are interested in Internet future are next, as
CitizenTube announces:

Next Tuesday, March 16th, the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) will release the National Broadband Plan – its strategy for connecting all Americans to fast, affordable, high speed Internet. You can learn more about the plan at Broadband.gov, and submit your questions for FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, who will sit down for a special YouTube Interview just after the plan is released.

So if you have any questions or concerns please stop by and leave it on CitizenTube.
And if you think FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski can answer you, don’t hesitate to ask. Asking is good, nothing to be ashamed.
We’ll get some new fresh information about Internet and find out how it’ll grow more. For our curiosity there are people happy to explain what is going on and what are their plans.
Looking forward.

Cooperation between traditional media and citizen journalism

admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:47:59 +0000

These days citizen journalism shows how popular it is. We can find many announcements about partnership among traditional, mainstream media and citizen journalism.
Is it finally coming out an acceptance or acknowledgment?
Yes, one of leading media BBC News will start partnership with Global Voices, citizen journalism website.
It is going to be one of many to come cooperation.
That is great news because we all know that mainstream media can’t disappear and that citizen journalism also won’t vanish. Best for them and for their public is to get together and make even better content.
As executive director of Global Voices Ivan Sigal says:

We’ll be adding citizen media links within BBC news stories, while sharing off-the-radar stories from our own newsroom with BBC editors and reporters.

We wish them success and good work.

“Being a Woman” as a women side of citizen journalism

admin — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 19:12:38 +0000

“Being a Woman” is one very interesting and progressive idea. To take one part of growing community of citizen journalists and people interested in citizen media.
And that’s absolutely fantastic.
This is a month of women and their achievements. Their month to mark and celebrate all the women who fought for freedom and positions in society. For women who learned how to manage everything, being a daughter, mother, wife, employee and employer, to keep a family. All that in 24 hours. All that without facilities. In many countries women still have very subordinate position and live like prisoners. Without rights.
To be a woman in man’s world is difficult. Every woman can say it, confirm it from her own experience. Their day begins earlier and ends later. This website, www.shetizenjournalist.com, gives space to women and asks them to say what “Being a Woman” means in their life. How they juggle their duties. If there is gender issues, how they deal with them. Many subjects open and time for launching is March 8, this year.
One very bold and amazing way of citizen journalism. This will become a collection of how women see and feel themselves.
As http://www.shetizenjournalist.com/being-a-woman.htm say

International Women’s Day is an official holiday in China, Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.

Many of those countries understand this holiday wrong. They give presents, flowers, chocolate and perfumes to women. But, men don’t understand importance of this day. They should respect women every day, whole year, and not only that one day.
This day has deeper meaning. Liberating.
So, we are waiting March 8 to see how women do citizen journalism.

Citizen journalism tsunami

admin — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:51:34 +0000

Once again world got a proof how valuable citizen journalism is. After Haiti and their devastating situation as we mentioned in our blog post Citizen journalism like a way to help Haiti, another misfortune occurred.
Chile earthquake brought more trouble to the people. Chileans who gave help to Haiti just days ago now have the same needs. They need water and food and shelters.
But like every bad luck, earthquake wasn’t the only one. Tsunami was a big threat and after a while doubts were justified.
Now citizen journalists come on the scene. Thanks to many people who spread the word about quake, consequences and damage, many lives were saved. Because people were warned on danger and possible after shocks.
While traditional or mainstream media try to deny citizen journalism, it’s obvious to all of us importance of such work.
Technology, which is now almost perfect, really can not only entertain us, but also save lives and become our tool for greater good.
Such is telling to the rest of the planet what’s going on in real time, live. Not waiting for journalists to get there and start reporting or waiting some experts to say their expectations and prognoses. That’s OK, but this is better. It’s more personal when you look at citizens who are participating in whole event, rather than trained journalist whose job is to inform and nothing more. Many of them can’t give that emotion of real life. They call it professionalism.
People like to feel, see actual thing. Because they can feel closer then.

Bleacher Report together with Hearst Newspapers create Local Editions

admin — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 17:50:51 +0000

As we mentioned few posts ago, What is favorite category for citizen journalists, top or most popular categories in mainstream media and citizen journalism are emergencies and sports. Mainly because those two categories really have happenings all the time.
New ones will get their time and share.
But first thing is first.
Bleacher Report team made an arrangement to collaborate with Hearst Newspapers. Their partnership will be about mutual goal and that is Local Editions. They will use their resources and give their readers as well fans better content and new opportunities.

Like Bleacher Report says in their blog post :

So what’s that mean for you? Well, if you’re a fan living in the Bay Area with something worthwhile to say, your articles may be featured on the Local Edition of SFGate.com in addition to the main page at B/R (and don’t forget about CBS Sports and all our other syndication partners).

Wonderful idea to surpass differences and that mainstream vs citizen media relationship.
I am certain that this is one of many to come collaborations, and very successful, too. New way to satisfy fans, users and readers and to save newspaper.
In optimistic manner both teams will find out how it’ll all work and will become an example of good communication.
We wish them success.

Citizen Journalism Webinar

admin — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:40:20 +0000

March 2, 2010 is the date. Event is webinar on citizen journalism. It will last about 90 minutes and 4 experts will talk about the subject.
And the subject is really popular and very in nowadays.
I suppose there is a small number of Internet aware people who haven’t heard about citizen journalism. Many say positive comments and there is some opposite crowd who likes to hate everything about citizen journalism.
Nevertheless, citizen journalism had a long way to get here and have its own webinar.
And receive prestigious awards and get quotes in mainstream media.
About two years ago you couldn’t find in search any news about citizen journalism. Nothing. Or almost nothing.
Now you can find it everywhere. Popular citizen journalism groups, videos, crowdsourcing and many fresh new sites and blogs.
Webinar is another step toward greater success and perhaps introducing whole idea to more people. It’s absolutely wonderful to see how good ideas find their way and reach citizens.
Everything is going well, new technologies make it all easier and more available. Will and wish to communicate and share is always present. I feel that this is definitely the year of Citizen Journalism achievements.
To find more info about this Webinar visit:
Webinar – Citizen Journalism

Hadeel International Prize for New Media

admin — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 18:34:01 +0000

Whole world is turning around few things. Work, money, education, free time, holidays, eating, sleeping, hobbies, news, love and some more. In our habits we are very similar. Different maybe by the language we speak but so similar at the same time.
And there are some countries that have less freedom or democracy. It is their way of life. Many still accept it and don’t want to change a single thing.
That is completely understandable. Some like their routine, to know what’s next and no surprises.
Many, on the other side, wish changes. They feel change as a positive thing. They wish free media, freedom to think and talk, freedom for many things other people can’t even imagine.
That process of changing is almost always painful. Always goes harder than it looks. But, thanks to will power, strong desires and great intellect good things happen.
Vision is what it takes to be brave and risk your life for your beliefs. One blogger, Hadeel al-Hodaif, was one of those believers.
Hadeel al-Hodaif was an inspiration to other bloggers like Sami Omar to start something new. A project which will make new influence on ordinary people and bring them closer thoughts about freedom in media.
HIPNM or Hadeel International Prize for New Media is that project.
HIPNM has five categories: blogging, specialized blogging, personal blogging, podcasting and videoblogging.
For more information visit Hadeel International Prize for New Media

2010 Knight International Journalism Award

admin — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 22:18:52 +0000

Doors are opening for citizen journalism. And they are wide open. Citizen journalism is now accepted equally as journalism.
First it was something like civilians versus journalists, which was really wrong perspective. Goal, mutual goal, is to deliver true information to consumers. Only difference should be just a method.
Delight of telling good news is almost daily. Now it’s another award for everyone who achieve something and help in doing positive things. Sparkle of vision and creativity to start something already known and new at the same time found audience.
Now those who give themselves for greater good deserve to be awarded.
Not because of money or glory, but because it feels nice when you know that your effort and work is noticed. And appreciated.
This is an invitation from Knight International Journalism Fellowships

We are seeking nominations of professional or citizen journalists whose reporting has made a significant difference in the lives of their fellow citizens. This honor reflects the mission of the Knight International Journalism Fellowships. The Fellowships aim to produce tangible changes that improve the quality and free flow of news in the public interest around the world.

We wish luck to all nominees.

What is favorite category for citizen journalists

admin — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 12:33:12 +0000

Citizen journalism is an expression of people who appreciate different view of news. As I can see, it has success. People write and inform or share anything they find interesting.
But somehow I have the impression that one of the most interesting categories is Emergency. Until now biggest attention of citizen journalists was devoted to emergencies.
That is natural because people like to read and find out what happened and to get all the information about some big events, tragedies, protests, demonstrations…
Our focus is always in direction of some plain crash, earthquake, storms, war, shooting, flood, fire and other breaking news.
Maybe it’s because we fear or want to help or just to satisfy our curiosity.
Nevertheless, humans are curious by nature.
Now, I’m curious what is next most popular category.
I suppose now is Sports. Vancouver Olympics are in the top news. Competition and results, thrill and cheering is what makes them so exciting. And besides Olympics sport is a category with lot of new events and happenings all the time.
So what is next? What do you think?