PUBLIC JOURNALISM AND THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS

Traditional journalism is no longer perceived as the only means of information distribution. Ordinary citizens are taking an active role in news reporting. Equipped with portable Internet access and cell phones with built-in cameras and video recorders, they can now capture developing news stories and send them immediately to news organizations for distribution. As they witness, experience, and gather news information, they are seeing themselves as active journalists, presenting stories from their perspective. In short, the traditional model of journalism has been challenged, if not revolutionized. Traditional news groups enact a classic means of organizing and reporting back to the public, but do not encourage the deliberation of empowering citizens to take initiatives in political stances, exercising their democratic rights to break down barriers, dissecting the truth out of news reports, and creating a movement for social justice. There should be more commitment in mobilizing citizens to be more political, for marginalized social groups to be heard, and public deliberation should be completed. News organizations should not simply encourage content from citizens, or include them marginally in topics of concern, but help organize them as partners of political action.