During the Easter weekend, Cedar City saw a strong example of citizen journalism. Darin Bloomfield, an SUU student, upon seeing a SWAT vehicle with its lights flashing cruising through his neighborhood, grabbed a video camera and began taping. When he realized he had something significant, he contacted various news organizations and provided the footage to them.
The University Journal editorial board applauds this student's efforts and supports all students wishing to contribute to news-gathering efforts as citizen journalists.
As the world becomes more dominated by technology, it has been suggested that newspapers and perhaps even TV news programs will become obsolete. Some believe news will be available only as Internet content.
Such will not be the case if news organizations expand their coverage through converging media technologies.
As newspapers enhance coverage through multimedia options on their Web sites such as videos, podcasts and polls, and TV news programs prepare written stories to be read online, there are expanding opportunities for citizen journalism.
Anyone at SUU wishing to participate in collecting, verifying and disseminating information as a citizen journalist has several options.
The Journal Web site allows readers to comment on stories, post forum messages and submit letters to the editor. Someone with video footage and photographs can come by the newsroom and submit content they'd like to share. Citizen journalists can give news tips or even write a story themselves.
For example, footage of senior guard Justin Allen's buzzer-beater shot was not shot by anyone from our newsroom, but the clip was one of the most popular features on suujournal.com at the time.
The Journal invites and encourages anyone wanting to assist in news gathering to participate online or just stop by the newsroom. Everyone on campus can contribute regardless of major or class standing.
One of the Journal's major functions is to serve students, its major audience and provide an open forum for sharing opinions and information.
Several opportunities are available to any citizen journalist wanting to, as one Journal adviser has defined journalism, take information from those who have it and place it in the hands of those who ought to have it.
