citizen journalism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Media, Academic
Quick answer
What does “citizen journalism” mean?
News reporting and commentary produced by ordinary people, rather than professional journalists.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
News reporting and commentary produced by ordinary people, rather than professional journalists.
The practice of non-professional individuals collecting, reporting, analyzing, and disseminating news and information, often using digital platforms and social media.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences.
Connotations
In both varieties, the term can carry positive connotations of democratization or negative connotations of unreliability, depending on context.
Frequency
The term is of comparable frequency in both varieties, slightly more common in media and academic discourse than in general everyday use.
Grammar
How to Use “citizen journalism” in a Sentence
The rise of [citizen journalism] has changed...[Citizen journalism] often focuses on...They are involved in [citizen journalism].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Discussed in media strategy meetings regarding audience engagement and content sourcing.
Academic
Analysed in media studies, sociology, and communication journals regarding public sphere theory.
Everyday
Used when discussing news found on social media or independent blogs.
Technical
Specific term in digital media and communication studies.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “citizen journalism”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “citizen journalism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “citizen journalism”
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'a citizen journalism' – incorrect). Confusing it with 'citizen journalist' (the person).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. While blogging can be a form of citizen journalism, citizen journalism specifically involves the act of gathering and reporting news. A personal blog might not focus on news.
It varies widely. It offers immediate, ground-level perspectives but often lacks the fact-checking and editorial oversight of professional journalism. Verification is crucial.
A 'journalist' is typically a trained professional employed by a news organization. A 'citizen journalist' is an ordinary person who performs journalistic activities without formal training or institutional affiliation.
Yes, platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube are primary tools for distributing citizen journalism, allowing users to instantly share news-like content with a global audience.
News reporting and commentary produced by ordinary people, rather than professional journalists.
Citizen journalism is usually formal, media, academic in register.
Citizen journalism: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɪt.ɪ.zən ˈdʒɜː.nə.lɪ.zəm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɪt̬.ə.zən ˈdʒɝː.nə.lɪ.zəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “armchair journalist (related, often derogatory)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: CITIZEN (ordinary person) + JOURNALISM (news reporting) = news reporting by ordinary citizens.
Conceptual Metaphor
NEWS PRODUCTION IS A DEMOCRATIC RIGHT (The public has a voice).
Practice
Quiz
What is a key characteristic of citizen journalism?