Citizen Journalism and the future of online publishing in Nigeria

Journalism is defined as “the collection and editing of news for presentation through the media”. Online journalism is simply a news presentation through online media. This type of journalism comes in many forms, some of which are not published anywhere else. Blogs can be seen as one form of online journalism.According to Wikipedia, online journalism […]

Journalism is defined as “the collection and editing of news for presentation through the media”. Online journalism is simply a news presentation through online media. This type of journalism comes in many forms, some of which are not published anywhere else. Blogs can be seen as one form of online journalism.
According to Wikipedia, online journalism is a contemporary form of journalism where editorial content is distributed via the internet as opposed to publishing via print or broadcast. However the primary product of journalism which is news and features on current affairs, is presented solely or in combination as text, audio, video and some interactive forms, and disseminated through digital media platforms
With the rise of digital media, there is a shift from the traditional journalist to the blogger or amateur journalist. Blogs can be seen as a new genre of journalism because of their “narrative style of news characterized by personalization” which moves away from traditional journalism’s approach, thereby changing journalism into a more conversational and decentralized type of news. A Blog has been defined as a discussion or informational site published on the internet and consisting of discrete entries (“posts”) typically displayed in reverse chronological order (the most recent post appears first). Blogging has become a large part of passing information, news and ideas across cities, states, and countries. Bloggers even argue that they can even use their sites to publish breaking stories. Most online news publications have blogs that are written by their affiliated journalists as well as other respected writers. Blogging allows readers and journalists to be opinionated about the news and talk about it in an open environment. They allow comments where some news outlets do not, due to the need to constantly monitor what is posted. By allowing comments, the reader can interact with a story instead of just absorbing the words on the screen.
However, many blogs are highly opinionated and have a bias, because the stories published are based on mere hearsay. They lack depth as well as adequate proofs to complement what has been published. As such, their stories are one sided. The reason is because these bloggers see themselves as journalists.
Another form of Journalism people engage in is Citizen journalism. What is Citizen Journalism? What does the future hold for Online Journalism?

Citizen journalism
The lack of a traditional “editor” in digital journalism has given rise to citizen journalism. The Internet has broadened the effect that the digital age has on journalism. Because of the popularity of the Internet, most people have access, and can add their forms of journalism to the information network. This allows anyone who wants to share something they deem important that has happened in their community. Individuals who are not professional journalists who present news through their blogs or websites are often referred to as citizen journalists. No degree is needed to be a citizen journalist. Citizen journalists are able to publish information that may not be reported otherwise, and the public has a greater opportunity to be informed.
For example, in countries where freedom of the press is limited. Anyone can record events happening and send them anywhere they wish, or put them on their website or on other media outlets such as the social media like Facebook, Twitter, Google+. LinkedIN e.t.c.  Then other media outlets or even individuals can pick up information from there and pass it on, thus allowing it to reach wider audiences.
For citizen journalism to be effective and successful there needs to be citizen editors, their role being to solicit other people to provide accurate information and to mediate interactivity among users.
This then brings us to the question: What does the future hold for online journalism in Nigeria?
Speaking to New Media by phone, online editor of Tell Magazine Mr Adejuwon Soyinka said that online journalism is the way to go for every journalist and anyone who intends to stay in the profession, adding that it will help to improve their career. “There is a bright future for online journalism in Nigeria, and it has been shaped by the introduction of new technologies.”
During a recent seminar in Abuja on how the social media can be used to help journalists in the proper dissemination of information, the online editor of the Nation newspaper, Mr Lekan Otufodurin  stated that there are jobs that would require being active on the social media. And the online editor in any media house has the sole responsibility of editing contents online, and the content of the website has to be different from what is in print. During the seminar, the importance of having blogs was also stressed for every journalist.
As stated earlier, online journalism has a bright future in Nigeria. And to be effective in the profession, the following steps need to be followed:
1)      Online journalists should think “global”
2)      They should be online friendly
3)      Online journalists should be aware of the latest things happening around them. In other words, they should know what is trending.
4)      The Online desk shouldn’t be a one-man team.