Annotated Bibliography

1: Peer Reviewed Journal article

Robinson, S. & DeShano, C (2011) 'Anyone can know': Citizen journalism and the interpretive community of the mainstream press Sage Journals Online, Volume 12- 963 (p964- 966) DOI: 10.1177/146488491141597

This article reviews a new phenomenon in the world of journalism, Citizen journalists, and what it means for the industry. While many have questioned the ability of citizen journalists to establish their own value system, an integral part of credible journalistic practices, studies have shown that bloggers and other citizen writers are forming their own networks which include the framing of a set of ‘goals, values and norms’ thus making them a credible source of new information and creating a new competitor in the already cutthroat world of journalism. The article outlines the similarities and differences between the two media sources and what this means for the standards and ideologies of journalism.

The frequent use of citations and reference to recent studies adds credibility to an already reliable source. The presentation of information as an article in a published online journal also leads a reader to believe that the facts they are receiving are well researched and dependable. This concept of citizen journalism is reflected article 3 which sources a freelance journalist in Yemen for information about the death of Moammar Gadaffi.

2: Online article

Al-Shaheibi, R. & Gamel, K. (2011, October 22) Gaddafi on display in freezer as row rages over killing. The Sydney Morning Herald Retrieved from: http://www.smh.com.au/  

This article voices reports about Gaddafi’s body which was apparently laid in a freezer in the middle of a busy shopping centre for local residents to view and take pictures with following his death on the 20^th October. The article outlines the hours leading up to his death and the confusion surrounding the final moments of his life, with many sources offering conflicting views on how Gadaffi was killed.

The Sydney Morning Herald is widely regarded as a very reliable source in terms of breaking news from around the world, however the plethora of scenarios offered for the death of Gadaffi in this article leaves much to be desired. The journalist has obviously received a wide range of reports from different sources and, not knowing- or not bothering- to check the facts, has included all of them, arguably allowing the reader to decide which end they would prefer. Although the article is extremely comprehensive, it fails to draw any conclusions about the true end of the Libyan dictator and given this article was released two days after the incident, more accurate and concise reporting should be expected from such a highly regarded source. The correct example of how this information should have been presented can be seen in article 4 which offers far more concise reporting.

3: Radio Interview

Dingle, S. October 22, 2011. AM with Tony Eastley. [radio report] ABC News Australia.

ABC reporter Sarah Dingle interviews a freelance journalist about reports of violence in Yemen following the death of Moammar Gadaffi on the 20^th October 2011. According to the journalist, who did not want to be named for fear of reprisals, half an hour after the news of Gaddafi’s death reached Yemen, sporadic explosions and gun fighting broke out in Sanna and the Port of Aden, both prominent business and residential areas.

This interview leaves a lot to be desired in terms of reliability of the source. Coming from an unnamed freelance journalist, there is no way of checking the facts presented or validating her prediction that the fighting was al Queda trying to move into the Port of Aden.  The interview medium, however, restored some credibility and accountability on the part of the journalist whose voice could be heard, clearly shaken by the situation she was in, giving listeners an insight into the tension surrounding the situation.

The fact that the ABC are interviewing a freelance journalist works to further the argument raised in Article 1 which says that citizen journalists are becoming a far more prominent source in today’s media scene.

4: Newspaper Article

Lyons, J. (2011, 24^th October) Death of dictator ‘stains’ rebels. The Australian, p.4.

This article in The Australian focuses mainly on the consequences of Moammar Gaddafi’s death for Libya and what’s next for the war-torn nation. It outlines the role of the National Transitional Council, the countries interim Government, in establishing a democracy, a goal that begins with elections to be held within 8 months.

Not only is The Australian a well-known and highly regarded source of information, the article also features quotes from prominent Libyan personalities including the NTC leader Mahmoud Jibril, thus making the article credible both in terms of its medium and content.

As in Article 2, there is also confusion as to how Gaddafi was killed with The Australian confirming that it is not yet known if he was caught and executed or killed in a standoff with rebel fighters. The newspaper article, however, offers a far more concise depiction of the possibilities than the online article, probably due to differences in available space.

The Australian, The Sydney Morning Herald and the ABC have covered Moammar Gadaffi’s death from different perspectives, all of which align with the values and goals of both traditional and citizen journalism as outlined in the Sage Journal article.