The Changing Nature of Journalism

Citizen Journalism Effective in Times of Crisis

Published : 27 March 2020

With the rise of social medias and technologies, a new form of journalism emerges, distinct from the traditional journalism, where civilians are adequate to captivate flow of events and broadcast it to larger audiences regionally, nationally, and even internationally. This is known as the citizen journalism.

The Syrian's crisis is an example, when the country closed its borders to international reporters, who attempted to enter the country illegally and sometimes endangered their own lives, while domestic news medias are controlled by the reigning regime, amateurs, often activists, operated through recording and reporting live events as they unfold. Those contents were posted in personal’s social medias such as YouTube Channel, Facebook page, Twitter feed, and other social medias. Out of those, some were then extracted and embedded by news’ channels, such as The New York Times’ live blog, The Leed. This induce citizens to be immersed in the current ongoing situations, regarded as the ‘immersive experience’, which generated emotional feelings for audiences.

Nevertheless, apart from its positive perspectives, citizen journalism also has some negative views. Citizens’ contents have been criticized in terms of its credibility, trustworthiness, and even their production values since everyone, even those without expertise in coverage, are eligible to construct pieces of works. Professionals also have objected citizens’ works as disruptions and threatens their authorities.

In conclusion, citizens’ journalisms play a vital role in today’s journalisms, especially during times. A famous quote from El Amin reads, “Here, holding a pen is as dangerous as holding a gun.” (Lucas 2012)

Bibliographies:

Lucas, O 2012, 'Citizen Journalists: A New Kind of War Reporting', The Magazine of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, retrieved 9 April 2020, <http://www.redcross.int/EN/mag/magazine2012_2/4-9_extra_1.html>

Mackey R (2012i) Syrian television’s underwhelming evidence of foreign backing for rebels. The New York Times, 3 March. Available at: <http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/03/ syrian- televisions-underwhelming-evidence-of-foreign-backing-for-rebels/>(accessed 27 March 2020).

'Two Teenagers Sparks Fire in the Town of Wilberton'

Two Teenagers Sparks Fire in the Town of Wilberton

By Fernando Savero

PUBLISHED: 14.06 WIB 25 March 2020 

[News Reporting]

A calamity just occurred today's afternoon close to the suburbs of Wilberton, a town up 39 kilometres of Ballarat. Two teenagers, who were seen by local residents, were suspected to have lit the fire by throwing a burning-petrol soggy rag into a pile of haystack with the distance of 2 kilometres apart from the town centre. The engulfing fire destructed four farm sheds as well as several kilometres of fencing, endangering five houses on the edge of Wilberton, a region with the population of 1300 people, known for its timber and agriculture.

Finally, with an appreciable cooperation from 30 local residents, local polices, and several Country Fire Authority (CFA), three from the town and four from neighbouring centres totalling of 28 CFA volunteers, the fire was able to be extinguished by 5 P.M. Seargent Phil Jones, who was on the spot and had expected for the worst, recalled, "At one stage, we thought it might engulf the whole town. It was a touch and go for an hour or two." 

A 102-year-old-farmhouse, on the historical Wilberton Park Sheep Station was also noted to have been burnt. Luckily, there was no deaths. Nonetheless, Constable Eric Smythe, 23, experienced minor burns in his arms and face when he successfully rescued two 'terrified' horses back to safety. Sergeant Jones, regarded the bravery of Constable Eric. He commented, "It was an outstanding act of bravery. He could have lost his life." Smythe has been treated and has returned to duty. Meanwhile, police throughout the state are still on the lookout for those suspects, who was lastly seen driving a 1995 red Falcon station wagon on the highway south of Wilberton. 

My Life Journey-'The Journey of Grace'

My Life Journey- 'The Journey of Grace'

             Thank-you and welcome to my new blog with the title 'My Life Journey-The Journey of Grace'. I believe that it is not an incident that you have encountered and take interest in my blog. Through this blog, I hope that all of you will gain inspirations and lessons that may enhance your life. 

I was born on 9th of August 1994 to a Chinese-Protestant Charismatic family. My parents gave me the name Fernando Savero. Fernando itself means ‘the one who travel’ while Savero means ‘being in the light’. My parents believed that name signify something in that person’s life. 

When I was born, I was diagnosed with a sickness known as ‘hyperbilirubin’, a sickness which provoked my skin to become yellow. Not only that, doctors also stated that I might grow with lack of motoric skills, mute, and deaf. In addition to that, my mother recalled that one week after two weeks, I would get cough since my lung was very weak. During that period, they were shocked and puzzled. Their firstborn son, who they had hope will one day continue their heritage, was born inadequate. As my mother was brought up to never give up and always strive for the best, she looked for every alternatives she could possibly find. She believed that through her effort, I would be cured. My parents brought me to different doctors both in Indonesia and overseas. Moreover, they also brought me to therapy. I still remember there was a Dutch lady named Florentine who taught me how to speak. I was also trained at home to walk utilising a wooden walking board. Nonetheless, their effort brought no avail. I was still uncured. It is at their moment of distress that they decided to seek God and His power to heal me. God revealed Himself and His work in such a miraculous way. One day, when my mother was having conversation with a guest at our house, I interrupted and started to speak. My mother who at that point did not really believe in miracle was stunned that her son commenced to speak. In opposite with what doctors diagnosed, commencing that moment, I can

In kindergarten, my parents enrolled me to a Christian school called Bina Bakti. My parents told teacher/-s on my life’s matter. One day, as was recalled, one of the teachers had a conclusion that my drawing was not good compared to other student/-s in the class. My parents could not accept what was said. Anyhow, my parents especially my mother decided to move me when I was in elementary to one of the prestigious schools in Bandung which was a  Catholic school called St. Aloysius. Later, she explained to me the reason she moved me is because the teacher underestimated me when my mother told her about the journey of my life. As a young boy, I was already critical and curious towards things and aspects. I was also diligent and responsible with assignment/-s, examination/-s, and my study as a whole. My mother reminisced that without being asked, I would finished whatever work were left whether it was finishing off my assignment/-s, studying for upcoming test/-s and quiz/-zes, etc. I still retained that I was on the top ten in my class. Despite that, during my time in the Catholic school, I would often questioned my mom why I was taught to pray St. Mary, who although is the mother of Jesus but is still a person with flaws, and not to Jesus [Christ] as God Himself. My mother who heard this was befuddled of how to explain to a young child the reason. Since then, I was moved to an international school, Bandung Alliance International School. The school was actually established as an institution to assist missionary/-ies to educate and teach their children. That is why missionary/-ies kids got subsidized. Christian’s principles and teachings were incorporated to both its teaching and community life. The teachers as well as students came from different countries including but not limited to United States of America, United Kingdom, Finland, India, Korea (South Korea), and many more.

One of subjects taught at class was Bible education. I still reminisced the moment I was in 3rd grade when I was taught the song ‘Make Me a Servant’, a song composed by the Maranatha! Singers,  by my homeroom teacher, miss Comer. She taught us calmly and gently lyric by lyric. She conveyed kindness through her action. 

Stay tune for further fascinating and miraculous stories!

My family and I during our vacation to Seattle on
Sunday, 15 September 2020

 

My brother and I paddling on the Lake Louise,
           Alberta, Canada.

My friends and I, from Youth with a Mission Bandung,
during our trip to a local church.