Valuable contribution...at times

We’ve been discussing citizen journalism and its credibility the last couple of weeks. Harbinger’s article on http://www.journalism.co.za/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=3549 brings up again another interesting point and further raises concerns about this new medium. I have come to agree that citizens play an important contribution to mainstream journalism. Their first account stories and priceless pictures only add value to the story. Nonetheless, I still have several concerns. Fact checking every story could grow to be a challenge, thus disseminating incorrect information. The addition of blogs on credible news outlets however could perhaps be more trusting. I do think it is important for people to remember that not every things out there is a fact or credible. Furthermore, the web also presents an opportunity for political propaganda. Take the wikipedia filtering for example. How do you make sure politicians using their status as citizens and not government officials could use blogs to skew information? Furthermore, digital divide is and will continue to be a problem. So only a limited portion of the population can really have access to this type of news. In conclusion, I think blogging is an important contribution at certain times, but like everything else, blogging has a lot to work on if it wants to be a successful source.