This conversationalistic way of news reporting and production is done through citizen journalism (Gillmor, 2004), which Shayne Bowman and Chris Willis described as the act of citizens "playing an active role in the process of collecting, reporting, analyzing and disseminating news and information." (Citizen Journalism, 2007) The emergence of the Internet has enabled people with no professional training to "create, augment or fact-check media on their own or in collaboration with others." (Citizen Journalism, 2007) Through weblogs, online forums, photo and video hosting websites, anyone can be empowered with a voice to speak to not just one person, nor two, but to the entire world.
In response to the global uprising of citizen journalism, our local paper - The Straits Times - created an online paper named STOMP (Straits Times Online Mobile Print), which "integrates content and activities in the three platforms of print, online and mobile... (and seeks) to interact and engage with Singaporeans in exciting new ways." (STOMP, 2006) Through this online paper, The Straits Times hope to "provide readers with new avenues to express themselves, to enable them to interact with us, and among themselves." (STOMP, 2006)
A quick browse around the webpage is enough to show that STOMP centainly lives up to these promises. The Singapore Seen section allows everybody, as long as they sign up for an account, to publish whatever they deem as news worthy online and post pictures and videos along with the report. Others are allowed to comment on these reports and from there, participate in lively conversations regarding the reported news. Another section of the website named Talk Back provides topical online forums where people with the same interests can gather and discuss about their passion regarding a particular place or activity. Input is possible on almost every section of STOMP. The aim of this online paper to "connect, engage and interact" (STOMP, 2006) with readers is definitely achieved.
Yet, is STOMP really a tool that empowers us with a strong voice to speak up? As much as STOMP seems to be an ideal form of citizen journalism, with its "you're the reporter" slogans and "speak your mind" invites, I think there is more than meets the eye. While the news covered on STOMP, like inconsiderate drivers for example, are certainly matters worth discussing, these reports would appear trivial, at least to me, as compared to what that is covered in Singapore's main paper, The Straits Times. Between a report on bad driving etiquette and one on parliament decisions, it would not exactly be hard to determine which one is of greater importance. With STOMP always covering issues which seems to have less significance, this platform for citizen journalists may backfire and serve, instead, to boost the credibility and the importance of Big Media in Singapore.
Another question i would ask is that, is The Straits Times really interested in listening to us "speak (our) minds" (STOMP, 2006) when it comes to controversial issues? Take politics for example. STOMP has hardly ever, if not never, published news regarding politics. With the amount of input on STOMP by average people like you and I, I would have thought that at least one or two would have reported on touchy political news. Bloggers like Mr.Wang and the Kway Teow Man make it obvious that there are Singaporeans out there who want to discuss political issues. Yet, politics is so rarely discused on STOMP. Are we really the reporters? Can we really speak our minds? Or are the controversial news that we contribute being filtered out by people of the Big Media? Behind the "you're the reporter" claims, we know that STOMP is ultimately an online paper run by The Straits Times, the Big Media of Singapore. It may seemingly be an ideal form of citizen journalism for Singaporeans, but just to be on the safe side, I suggest we stick to blogs.
Having said that, the way to improve STOMP as a form of citizen journalism is of course to encourage newsmakers to contribute news beyond petty complaints for traffic offenders. Illegal parking of vehicals are undoubtedly important social issues but there are more of other important issues which demands attention besides these. Politics is definitely one subject which lacks coverage on STOMP. To earn the title of the ideal form of citizen journalism in Singapore, STOMP has got to encourage and allow citizens to expand their news coverage.
With all things considered, STOMP is definitely a platform for citizen journalists to voice their opinions. However, there are still areas for this online paper to improve in before it can truly be called the ideal form of citizen journalism.
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References:
Citizen Journalism. (2007, March 28). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved March 29, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizen_journalism/
Gillmor, D. (2004, July). We the Media: Grassroots Journalism by the People, for the People. Retrieved March 28, 2007 from http://download.nowis.com/index.cfm?phile=WeTheMedia.html&tipe=text/html
STOMP (2006) From Singapore Press HoldingsRetrieved March 28, 2007 fromhttp://www.stomp.com.sg/
10 comments:
Forget for a moment that the KTM used to freelance for STOMP. :-P And please interpret what the KTM will say in the subsequent paragraphs as the mad ramblings of a kay poh, who does not claim to speak for STOMP in any way ('cos it's true).
Point is very simple. STOMP is set up by SPH. SPH is a listed company. What is the mission of a listed company? Is it to listen to listen to people "speak (your) minds" (STOMP, 2006) when it comes to controversial issues?
Modus operandi of newspapers is very simple. They want to capture eyeballs, sell advertising and make money. STOMP is SPH's attempt at muscling in on the online media market.
Clearly a good and logical strategy from the perspective of business development given how the world is moving. If they didn't try to go online, then the SPH Board ought to be fired. :-)
That said, it cannot be said that STOMP doesn't want to listen to people or talk about controversial issues, since this thing you are proposing and collecting eyeballs/making money are not mutually exclusive.
The point is very simple: if doing what you propose is going to get them more eyeballs, they will certainly do it. You must however understand that there is a general apathy about in the population.
Frankly, not many people care about politics, which is why the KTM has much fewer hits then STOMP (and perhaps why KTM doesn't quite fit in at STOMP). :-)
The KTM seriously wasn't pulling in many eyeballs for STOMP and even if he hadn't quit, he would probably have been fired eventually. ;-P Such are the harsh realities of life. That said, the STOMP people were really sweet and it was good while it lasted. :-)
Good points, though It's interesting that you agreed to whether Stomp is an ideal form of citizen journalism, yet your later points show otherwise.
Guess what though, you've got the legendary KTM sharing his thoughts, so a "Most Popular" award for you plus full grades :)
KTM:
Thank you for tagging =) You've earned me a 'most popular' award~! muahaha.
And thank you, also because i think i have a better understanding of why Gilmor asserted that we need to defend self publishing after reading your comment. The mass media publishes what people wants to hear while citizen journalists publish what people need to hear. Blogging may be the solution for the general apathy you mentioned yes? So you should keeeeep blogging~! wheeeeeeeee =)
Kevin:
thank you thank you thank you thank you thank youuuuuuuuuuuuu =)
maybe i'll go create an acct with the name 'xiaxue' and come tag my own blog. then i'll get the most popular award every weeeek! HAHA.
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