Journalism and the Internet

The internet has created a wonderful platform for its users to quickly gather and post the latest information on just about anything in the world.

Internet journalism is no longer just an alternative these days, as many people, especially the younger demographic, get all their news information through online sources.

This includes both formal and informal online sources.

Formal sources I'm talking about refers to those that published by an established news agency, whereas informal sources refers to news that are posted by internet users.

This is evident from our local newspaper - The Straits Times.

It has an online version on the internet so that people can receive news on-the-go or wherever they are.

However, what I want to highlight here is the more informal online portal - STOMP - which allows users to post news or any interesting information they have or saw on it.

This portal allows these information to be really up to date, almost instantaneous in fact, as users are able to upload pictures, videos and comments to the website immediately.

There is currently a large number of STOMPers (STOMP users) and they often upload first hand information on the hottest news topic.

In many cases, the news is released on STOMP first before we see it in the newspaper or on prime time news.

STOMP also covers many stories that are deemed too insignificant or unimportant for the newspapers or prime time news.

Unlike traditional forms of journalism, this gives the users freedom to choose the kind of news they want to receive, and I feel that this is vital and how news should be.

However, such 'citizen journalism' has also received much criticism.

Traditional media advocates feel that news published by these amateur citizen journalists may lack coverage or does not portray the entire truth.

Yes, this is certainly is a relevant concern, but it does not affect the many benefits of citizen journalism.

With all these STOMPers and the fact that almost everyone owns a camera phone these day (even my grandma), every single moment of the day is ripe material to be captured on video or picture. And before you know it, you are already up on YouTube or STOMP, being laughed at by complete strangers.

In light of this, I feel that people will be more aware of their own actions as well as those of others.

So, the next time you want to engage in some disapproved behavior (think: littering or public displays of affection), do think twice.

You may just become the next celebrity on STOMP.