Citizen Video Journalism Edit
Manila Mall Bombing

News reporting has changed drastically with the rise of amateur videographers and file sharing platforms like YouTube.

There were 11 fatalities and at least 100 injured in Glorietta, a premiere malls in Manila, blasts last October 19. A terrorist organization, said to be composed of Christians who converted to Islam, on Saturday said it was responsible for bombing at the malls basement. Attached is the actual video of a shopper inside the mall seconds after the blasts.

In the past, news coverage didn’t occur until professional journalists arrived on the scene, causing hours, sometimes days to go by until the news was made known to the world. Today, nearly everyone carries a camera phone or have quick access to Wifi, enabling ordinary citizens to be the first to get the scoop and give the scoop. We saw it happen with Katrina, people blogging live from the scene, and the cell phone camera footage from the London tube bombings quickly made the pages of mainstream media.

Through citizen journalism, public participation has given us quicker, unbiased news. With the continued advances in technology and social networking, anyone can play an active role in shaping our society.