Citizen Journalist

An on-air cable news reporter said recently, “Send us your photos and videos of the flood but be careful out there and stay safe.” It was a worthy warning for citizen journalists who want to get the big story and bust into the cable news show with an exciting video, image or report. But putting yourself in danger is only one of several warnings citizen journalists should heed. Here are ten BAD IDEAS for citizen journalists: It’s a bad idea to be a photo forger – the manipulation of any digital image is a big mistake. It is NEVER right to Photoshop someone in or out of a picture or otherwise change the true image. It makes you a liar and a fraud. It’s a bad idea to put your self in any kind of danger. Just because the river is rising doesn’t mean you have to walk out to the levee for a great shot of the breach! It could kill you – as could walking into the middle of a... (more)

Formalizing Citizen Journalism

Citizen Journalists come in two major categories.  The first is an accidental journalist, or a person who just happens to be at the scene of an event.  This person will record the event, or portions of the event, for later analysis by potentially a global audience.  The second are those who intentionally seek out events, and provide their own analysis (along with raw source materials) of events.  This person will often act as a “non-credentialed” alternative to “professional” journalists.  Let’s call them “Enthusiast Citizen Journalists.” Through the magic of an Internet-connect... (more)

Cohn & Wolfe Expands in Southeast Asia With XPR Acquisition

NEW YORK, December 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- - Move significantly increases agency's digital and social media capabilities in Asia Pacific Cohn & Wolfe (http://www.cohnwolfe.com) announced today it has signed an agreement to acquire XPR, one of Singapore's largest independent communications agencies, with additional offices in Malaysia and Indonesia. The deal, the second for Cohn & Wolfe in Asia Pacific in the past month, establishes the agency's presence in Southeast Asia and adds significant social media and digital expertise, as well as leading regional and international clie... (more)

Cohn & Wolfe Expands in Southeast Asia With XPR Acquisition

NEW YORK, Dec. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Cohn & Wolfe (www.cohnwolfe.com) announced today it has signed an agreement to acquire XPR, one of Singapore's largest independent communications agencies, with additional offices in Malaysia and Indonesia. The deal, the second for Cohn & Wolfe in Asia Pacific in the past month, establishes the agency's presence in Southeast Asia and adds significant social media and digital expertise, as well as leading regional and international clients to its existing portfolio. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111214/NY22019LOGO ) As one of So... (more)

MSNBC Reporter Teaches Citizen Journalists How NOT to Do It

It all happened in a recent live conversation about the debt ceiling debate she had with US Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL). Instead of persisting with serious journalistic questions she mistakenly entered into an argument with Rep. Brooks that ended up embarrassing her in front of whatever tiny audience her cable network had. The most humiliating part of the interview went like this: "Journalist" Brewer:  "You're simplifying the issues that were on the plate of the nation at that point. I mean we were looking at going - averting a Depression at that point, everyone the Fed chairman . . ." ... (more)