This website is an initiative of J-Lab

Principles of Citizen Journalism

Independence: Following the story wherever it leads

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Accuracy		 navigation thumbnails
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Resources

The team behind this project

SECTIONS

Accuracy & fact-checking
How to get it right

Thoroughness
Going the extra yard for information

Fairness
Treating opposing points of view with respect

Transparency
Disclosure a key ingredient in gaining trust

Independence
Following the story wherever it leads

Interviews
Tapping into the wisdom of the community

Resources
Where to find more information

RELATED

The Value of Independence

OhmyNews: "Every citizen can be a reporter."

Independence in journalism
Journalists, bloggers should tell the truth, without fear or favor

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What does it mean to be independent as a citizen journalist or blogger? Why is independence considered one of the most fundamental precepts in journalism? In this 7-minute video, we hear from:

• Jay Rosen, chairman of the journalism department at New York University, co-founder of NewAssignment.net and founder of the PressThink blog (watch his full video interview)

• Debra Galant, founder and editor of citizen media site Baristanet.com (watch her full video interview)

• Mike Orren, founder and editor of citizen media site Pegasus News (watch his full video interview)

• Michael Tippett, co-founder of NowPublic, a community photo and video site (hear his comments about citizen journalism here)

• Doc Searls, pioneering blogger and journalist (watch his full video interview)

"Being paid to post, there’s something inherently whorish about that."
—Doc Searls

Slide show producer: Laura Lo Forti
Format: Flash (download Flash here)
Length: 6:59

Photos across top of page (from left to right) by Rob Milsom, Tom Magliery, Elaine Yeung, Stefan Jansson, Geren W. Mortensen, Jr., John Cumisky