AudiencScapes

Citizen journalism is not a new idea, but the Small World News’ way of
using citizen journalists is quite novel. They train citizens,
especially those from conflict and crisis zones, to produce news that
engages international communities and audiences. Small World News’
belief is a simple one: what can be done in zones of conflict can be
done anywhere.

With internet usage on the rise, Pakistanis are turning to the blogosphere and citizen journalism to share their opinions. Hosh Media epitomizes the growing popularity of locally-based, online portals for citizen journalism in Pakistan.

The border town of Ciudad Juarez may be best known for its problems, but that’s not the only story in town. A new project gathers citizen reports of everyday heroes in an effort to present a more balanced picture of life there.

Holding government officials accountable is the goal of a new project that solicits citizen reports via mobile phone. Through this Web-based public forum the government’s performance will be scrutinized – and, the hope is – improved.

Domestic workers and day laborers in Los Angeles are using the tools of journalists to broadcast reports on issues that affect them. The project Mobile Voices/VozMob has created an open-source platform where workers-turned-bloggers publish reports by mobile phone.By Paromita PainMuch is written about low-wage workers and immigrants in the United States. Not as much media is created by low-wage and immigrant workers. An initiative in Los Angeles is giving low-wage workers and other underrepresented communities the tools for reporting the stories of their lives. One recent report shows day laborers passing the time waiting for jobs by singing and entertaining each other.

In the absence of independent and alternative sources of news, Pakistanis are turning to each other to learn about current events. Sonya Rehman profiles SeenReport, a Web portal on the leading edge of citizen journalism that seeks to make the news a “two-way street.” By Sonya Rehman Lahore, Pakistan -- In the first decade of this century, Pakistani media experienced a transformation: The government handed out radio and television licenses generously, interest in journalism careers soared and foreign journalists were brought in from well-known, international media houses to train budding Pakistani journalists. Suddenly, private television channels and radio stations began broadcasting their programs on the national hook-up.