Not all reinvention is a good thing. In fact, it can be a very bad thing.  For some years now, newspapers across the country have been tossing seasoned reporters, photographers and editors overboard like so much unwanted ballast. As a result, these same news organizations haven’t had enough people to do the actual work. Coverage has suffered. Badly. If you read a local newspaper, you have probably noticed this yourself and you don’t need me to argue the point.

Now, to improve coverage and appeal to the public, some newspapers — in fact a lot of newspapers, as well as TV and radio stations– are turning to “citizen journalists.” The quote marks are intentional because the name is essentially made up and meaningless. According to the generally accepted definition, “citizen journalists” are all people with semi-working brains and cell phones with built-in cameras. Internet connections and basic typing skills are helpful but not required. “Citizen journalists” generally work for fame and glory, though sometimes they get paid $25 for a picture. They snap pictures with their cell phones at public (or private) events and email them into the newspaper. Tweeting is encouraged.  Facts are optional. Fact-checking is not required because “citizen journalists” are only expected to tell it like they see it — whether it is a four-car pile-up on the expressway or the GOP Presidential primary (which some also might see as a four-car pile-up). We used to call these “citizen journalists” eye witnesses or even sources. But we didn’t count on them to do our jobs for us. Continue reading →