Personally, I approach the new trends in journalism with a Tao-istic mind-frame: appreciate, learn from and work with anything that happens in life, or in this circumstance; the internet. The new technological trends of journalism that are so called “intruding” into the industry are simply a by-product of our changing world. Change in the industry is going to occur whether we like or accept it or not, so why not simply let it morph into whatever it is to become. The nature of technology is progress, and nature is something that many try to fight, but they never seem to get their proverbial sword out of its sheath before they find themselves defeated. Taoists are happy because they take what comes as not good or bad, but just as is. These new emerging untrained journalist bloggers may be the bane of our existence as professionals, but the fact is that they are- and we cannot change that, much like we cannot change the tides or whatever direction the wind tries to blow in. The only source of professional happiness for us in this career is to work in harmony with the new “journalism” that emerges and attempt to find our own niche in the technological world. If one simply learns to embrace the change, you may find that we may fit in a lot better than we originally thought. Pessimistic as though we may be about the changes, it may become a source of happiness in our acceptance of it.
The Taoist theory of the “un-carved block” may aid in explanation: an un-carved block is representation of “things in their natural state”. These things are said to represent the beauty in original function; a tree gives oxygen, water gives reflection. Much like this, writers give words, journalists; news. Therefore, a blogger in their natural state may very well be a journalist. Albeit, without the same regulations, pay, or ethics, in the natural state the definition still applies. Those that read the news will still read the news. The only exception is that they will have to pay for the ethics, accuracy and trustworthiness now. That in itself is a niche carved for professional journalists.
The emergence of citizen journalists is akin to “open mic night” at the bar. Everyone wants a shot in the limelight. There is no blame for this, who doesn’t want to be heard? I believe that the more opinions and points of view, the better aligned we all will be with the information. I hold firm in the belief that one can learn just as much from a really bad opinion, article, etc. as they can a good one. The skill that one must congratulate themselves on obtaining is recognizing the good from the bad. Therefore, the more bloggers giving information the better- the public will obtain more weaponry in their arsenal of “crap detection.” (Much as is explained in this recently explored website: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/rheingold/detail?entry_id=42805 )
Concerning the opinion of Rupert Murdoch where he with much virility states that people are “feeding” off the hard work that journalists are doing (http://newhavenindependent.org/archives/2009/12/arianna_calls_r.php) , I have but one thing to say; which my mother used to say to me when my sister would wear my clothes, or do her hair the same way I did, “Imitation is the highest form of flattery.” So much thanks in advance to all of those citizen bloggers of the future who will share the information I have obtained with the world. The basic premise of my future career is to deliver information and truths to the public, and therefore you have done me a favour; increased my readership. Only those who are narcissistic and vain would have any problem with someone distributing public information to the public, because it is not under their pen name- or because they don’t receive money for it. Perhaps Murdoch should examine his motivation.
(Just to be fair, I did agree with much of his speech... http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/rupert-murdoch-newspapers-will-change-not-die-470581.html )
There is no calamity greater than lavish desires.There is no greater guilt than discontentment.And there is no greater disaster than greed.
Lao-tzu, The Way of Lao-tzuChinese philosopher (604 BC - 531 BC)
I believe that if someone is writing for the enjoyment of others, it is always a worthy cause. The better the writer or the better crafted a story is, the more readers they should receive. I feel as if some journalists are threatened by citizen bloggers because perhaps the competition pool has widened- they will find themselves lacking in heart, or the better story. One must simply learn to accept what is to come and look at the positive side of it. Maybe more competition is just an opportunity to hone your skills, and rise above as the true writer, storyteller, or journalist. Ethics may come to play a much larger role to trained journalists. Stories and sources found must be unshakable to maintain the trust that is now so easily obtained from the public. Trust seems to be what will be selling in the future, and what a wonderful industry value it would be to operate under. Public trust seems much more worthy to me than to be the winner of public attention. I also feel as if trust in the long run will be more lucrative. When citizen journalists start getting the facts wrong, the public will naturally run home to the trustworthy news-stations, much like children to their parents.
I feel as if this topic is being examined to death, yet nothing is progressing any differently as it would naturally. Action is not being taken. The nature of things is change, technology: progression. I feel as if we should take the Taoist approach when considering this and just let it happen, and accept it as something different, perhaps difficult and new, but with great optimism. Citizen journalists are not good, they’re not bad- they just are.
(For some entertaining reading on Taoism, if you are having trouble coping with these citizen journalists I suggest reading The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff)
“Through working in harmony with life's circumstances, Taoist understanding changes what others may perceive as negative into something positive.”
Benjamin Hoff Source: The Tao of Pooh
Image From: http://www.taoistic.com/images/tao.gif
"I hold firm in the belief that one can learn just as much from a really bad opinion, article, etc. as they can a good one."
ReplyDeleteI believe you meant to say "as one can a good one" rather than "as they can a good one." This is an error with subject/antecedent agreement.