I know this is a often talked about subject and people are probably getting a bit sick of it now. but I’m currently researching for a dissertation on the impact of citizen journalism on the role of professional photojournalists covering major news events. with particular emphasis on the recent terror attacks in Mumbai.

I am looking at it from a number of perspectives. firstly from a technical/creative point of view; in that the emphasis on quality of work has been eschewed for a sense of immediacy. It can be said Citizen journalism possesses some of the basic fundamentals of photojournalism “truth” and “closeness” many citizen journalists are themselves part of the story (7/7 london bombings come to mind) . But is that enough? how do professional photojournalists feel about this?

secondly I’m analyzing the impact of investigative sites that have been responsible for the exposing of manipulated images and staged photography, examples of the Fall of baghdad in april 2003 and the faked images by Adnan Haj of the 2006 israel Lebanon conflict. both examples of a different form of citizen journalism and its affects on photojournalism, (in some ways this is much more damaging to the trade because these revelations can lead to questions on the reliability and truthfulness of photography)

If anyone has any input. if you feel strongly about the subject please feel free to chime in. I know relatively little about the subject so far and it would be interesting to see what professionals thinks of the situation, whether you think citizen journalism is a positive thing or if it degrades the value of your job, let me know.

best

Dan