Unfettered 'citizen journalism' too risky, we read:
"Supporters of "citizen journalism" argue it provides independent, accurate, reliable information that the traditional media don't provide. While it has its place, the reality is it really isn't journalism at all, and it opens up information flow to the strong probability of fraud and abuse. The news industry should find some way to monitor and regulate this new trend.
The premise of citizen journalism is that regular people can now collect information and pictures with video cameras and cellphones, and distribute words and images over the Internet. Advocates argue that the acts of collecting and distributing makes these people "journalists." This is like saying someone who carries a scalpel is a "citizen surgeon" or someone who can read a law book is a "citizen lawyer."
Tools are merely that. Education, skill and standards are really what make people into trusted professionals. Information without journalistic standards is called gossip. But unlike those other professions, journalism - at least in the United States - has never adopted uniform self-regulating standards. There are commonly accepted ethical principals..."
Source
This marvellous "professional" journalist does not even know the difference between a "principle" and a "principal"! What a clot!
