How to Become a Citizen Journalist

What is Citizen Journalism?

Citizen Journalism refers to news and information gathered, reported, and disseminated by people who are not professional journalists. They have no credentials, are not associated with any traditional news outlets, and act independently.

Technology has democratized journalism and now practically anyone with a smartphone and laptop can report on a story. There are no gatekeepers for citizen journalists and you don’t need a degree to become one.

You could say that this is news produced for the people by the people.

Citizen journalists share their information in various formats on digital platforms, such as YouTube, Medium, TikTok, X, Rumble, and Substack as well as on their own websites or newsletters. Many report firsthand in the field, immersing themselves in the story and can often upload or publish uncensored, firsthand material before ‘real’ reporters. 

So why should you do this?

Your community needs you.

We need boots on the ground reporters to fill the void left by a mainstream media astoundingly out of touch with ordinary people and their concerns. We need you to cover the stories left untold.

Local newspapers are disappearing at an alarming rate, creating ‘news deserts’ across the country. One in five legacy media journalists live in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington D.C.

While the mainstream media rapidly loses public trust, support, and credibility, people are switching off the nightly news and looking elsewhere for information. Technology has enabled citizen journalists to pick up the baton. 

Local stories — what happens in our own communities, towns, and regions — are arguably the most important (and relevant) in our everyday lives.

People have had enough of divisive party politics, activist journalism, and the same old tired narratives. We want to hear about the issues that really matter. And we want balanced reporting, that means, presenting both sides of an issue. We need non-biased copy, storytelling with a purpose — that keeps us fully informed.

This is where you come in.

It’s vital that news is reported by residents who know and understand their area and the people who live and work there. Do you have what it takes to ask the hard questions, hold people in power accountable, and give your communities a voice?

Journalists are meant to be society’s watchdogs, responsible for providing neutral, balanced, and accurate reports of events, and exposing the truth in government, business, and institutions.

So, let’s learn to do this the right way. Instead of churning out outrage inducing clickbait, we can concentrate on seeking the truth, and telling the stories that matter, with balance, fairness, accuracy, and most importantly, objectivity.

Sticking to the facts, dropping the bias, and providing balanced reporting is not hard. So, please join me now and learn how to get into ‘the heart and soul’ of the story, so that we, the people can once again be proud, well-informed citizens.

I can help you become a citizen journalist and cover the stories that matter. Together we can take back the news, and truly serve our communities.

Will you join me?