COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF CITIZEN JOURNALISM AND CONVENTIONAL REPORTING ON OBJECTIVITY IN NEWS GATHERING AND DISSEMINATION
Abstract
The study examines impact of citizen journalism and conventional reporting on objectivity in news gathering and dissemination among journalists in Kwara and Osun states. Five (5) objectives guided the study. The objectives of this study are to determine the extent to which citizen journalism impact objectivity in news reporting negatively, to determine whether free access to news dissemination impact positively or negatively to the hallowed “objectivity” in conventional reporting, to investigate whether there is a correlation between professional conduct and easy access to gathering and news dissemination, to explore whether factors of education, accessibility to news content impact positively or negatively to objectivity in news gathering and dissemination and to analyze the challenges faced by conventional journalists due to the emergence of citizen journalism. A total of 196 journalists in Kwara and Osun States responded to questionnaire administered. The questionnaires were administered via google forms to ensure wider coverage, participation and accuracy. Data analysis was done through frequency tables and percentages. Findings showed that citizen journalism has significantly expanded the flow of information available to the public. With the rise of digital tools and mobile phones, ordinary individuals now contribute to news gathering and dissemination, giving the public access to a broader range of perspectives.The study also showed that the rise of citizen journalists has put pressure on conventional reporters. Professional journalists are expected to uphold standards of objectivity, but the flood of unregulated citizen reports can blur lines of fairness and neutrality. The study recommends that citizen journalists should be encouraged to undergo basic training on ethical reporting and fact-checking. Conventional media organizations should find ways to collaborate with citizen reporters.
Keywords:Citizen journalism, Conventional reporting, Objectivity, News gathering, News dissemination, Journalists,
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