New Roles for Journalists

This brief contribution to the Poynter Center's group weblog ("e-media tidbits") is offered in the context of the December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami disaster.

Ernst Poulsen of the Danish Online News Association opines that journalistic coverage of the catastrophe indicates "an obvious breakthrough for 'people's journalism.'...[T]he stories that made an impression were rarely written by journalists. They were written or video taped by eyewitnesses. Their firsthand stories conveyed the fear people encountered..."

Exploring this trend, Poulsen argues that "tourists and locals are probably better equipped than most journalists in the field" because, first, they are "on the scene" and able to act quickly to record what they experience (in contrast, perhaps, to the traditional correspondent and photographer). In addition, these amateur reporters may have the necessary technology right at hand, including tri-ban cell phones, digital cameras, video recorders, and perhaps laptop computers or other means of accessing the Internet.

In this context, what are the new roles for journalists that Poulsen foresees? He indicates that, "[a]t the online-desk new disciplines have emerged: Getting in contact with eyewitnesses, screening for trust-worthiness, editing and presenting the best photos, video and email-submissions - all within hours." In addition, he observes that the Internet has been a resource in this time of crisis for guiding people to emergency phone numbers, emergency websites, and means of uniting family members. Here, he says, "journalists may also find that being info-guides is just as important as getting the news out."