Citizen journalism and participatory culture
Citizen journalism: non-professionals report news through social media, blogs, YouTube. Participatory culture: audiences co-create content rather than passively consume.
Real World
Bystander footage filmed on smartphones during the murder of George Floyd in 2020 spread globally via Twitter, forcing mainstream media coverage and sparking the international Black Lives Matter protests — a direct example of citizen journalism challenging traditional gatekeeping.
Exam Focus
Evaluate both sides: citizen journalism democratises voice but also spreads misinformation — one-sided answers are capped at lower mark bands.
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