The public sphere has prompted a new practice and culture–citizen journalism. Citizen journalism refers to the practice of individuals who capture and report news-like content that is disseminated through online platforms. Individuals who witness natural disasters and other news-breaking events can quickly pull out their phones to record and post it online. Oftentimes, this practice is alienated from editorial judgement established in news organizations. This shift in power reflects participatory culture. This culture enables citizens to be creators of content as well, rather than just consumers.

The incorporation of citizen journalism still poses risks to a vast media landscape, such as the amplification of mis/disinformation.  Citizens may not have the proper training and resources to execute an extensive practice of verification. This is especially detrimental within Philippine media, as the Philippines is notorious for dealing with the dominating culture of fake news. For example, political tensions last year about Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment prompted a surge of disinformation online. Oftentimes, this mis/disinformation is orchestrated by individuals online who claim a partisan spirit. Moreover, citizen journalists lack credibility. They may not possess institutional authority whereas they do not have the legitimacy to define public issues, contact resources, and scrutinize stories.

However, despite the risks, citizen journalism is not a distant concept discussed in research papers, rather, it is an active practice adopted by local news organizations. GMA News incorporated citizen journalism through the program “YouScoop.” This feature became a valuable mechanism for gathering content coverage of tropical storms such as “Ondong” and “Pepeng.” ABS-CBN also launched an initiative titled “Bayan Mo, Ipatrol Mo,” in 2007 with the intention of empowering individuals to capture stories during the election season. Rappler also has a civic engagement initiative titled “MovePH.” Under this initiative is the Corruption Watch chatroom in the Rappler app. The chatroom was designed to be a platform where citizens could report corruption they witnessed, which could later be translated into stories.

The practice has also significantly shaped the coverage procedure of news organizations; it has found its place in information dissemination. ABS-CBN’s program Bayan Mo Ipatrol Mo (BMPM) gave a platform to community stories witnessed by ordinary citizens. Citizen journalists affiliated with the program did not report the story themselves; rather, they acted as “first responders,” where they would pitch a news story and collect information related to the event. If approved, the report would be credited to them, and the story would be included in TV Patrol’s nightly news segment; however, a field reporter would be the one to present the story. One of the citizen journalists, whose occupation was a security guard, shared how his story on the severe flooding from Typhoon Pedring prompted an immediate response from their local government through donations. In connection to participatory culture, citizens are not just passive viewers of events; they are now interpreting and interrogating these stories to the public. They provide diverse stories and propose different perspectives.

On the contrary, citizen journalists are not just essential as “first responders” in immediate disasters or natural calamities, but their heartfelt and emotional stories that come from first-hand accounts are also crucial to see in mainstream journalism. GMA’s citizen program ‘YouScoop’ became a platform for human interest stories as well. A story from YouScooper Ge Marquez-Morales recounts their wedding reception experience in Albay while Mayon Volcano emitted smoke. The story prompted a strong response from the viewers as they commented, “Ang ganda it’s giving na kahit anong mangyari kayo parin ang end game” (It’s so beautiful, it’s giving that whatever happens you guys are end game). These human-interest stories are emotionally resonant. In the context of journalism, these stories bring a more intimate perspective. When news circulates about Mayon Volcano’s activity, there is only brief public concern. However, when stories like weddings and the celebration of love are angled in the midst of calamity, it tugs a deeper sentiment in viewers. Journalism is not just about rigidity and politics; it can be about stories foregrounded in experience which prompts emotions from viewers. Citizen journalism brings forth evocative stories online, allowing viewers to have more diverse content.

Moreover, citizen journalism allows ordinary individuals to reclaim narratives. A four-day workshop in Cagayan De Oro empowered the youth, community leaders, and others to tell their own stories regarding the Marawi siege, a horrific battle that left the city in ruins. The workshop tackled citizen journalism to counter the mis/disinformation prevalent online, as some would even label the Maranao as “barbaric.”  Citizen journalists are not just telling stories; rather, provide new perspectives. The Marawi siege opened areas for assumption and disinformation online as some would associate the Maranao with derogatory terms. Hence, citizens are reclaiming the narrative and are telling their side of the story. This reclamation is essential as they do not let mainstream media define them, as they proclaim their own identity.

Citizen journalism emerged from participatory culture and empowerment in community-centered stories. It amplifies stories from grassroots levels and includes them in mainstream media. Considering citizen journalism’s significance and impact on the stories distributed online, it is further asked: Will it ever overpower the professional practice of journalism? With the vast information available online, do the public really need the formal practice of journalism when there is freedom in the content individuals produce online?

The formal practice of journalism is greatly supplemented by citizen journalism but it is not completely diminished by it. Professional journalists contain the skill set in filtering and verifying information. Verifying claims and content may not be rigorously done by citizen journalists. Moreover, journalists practice gatekeeping. Gatekeeping refers to channels of decisions that dictate which stories are published and which are held back. Considering the BMPM case study, desk editors oversee the process in choosing the stories pitched to ensure their newsworthiness. Even though there is an invitation to participate, submissions of stories are still scrutinized according to editorial judgment.

Furthermore, journalists strictly adhere to a code of ethics and principles. Citizens may not be restricted to a set of principles as they have complete autonomy. However, the professional practice is regulated by principles such as impartiality, transparency and an adherence to independence. They follow clear criteria on what to publish and what to withhold. Meanwhile, citizen journalists highlight individual narratives, whereas they may be liable to misunderstanding and sensationalism.

Above all, journalists stand out as they are the ones who show up when the nation needs them the most. After the chaos that unraveled following the change in Senate presidency last May 11, the nation is divided over the mishaps that occurred. On May 13, the Senate was in uproar as gunshots were heard in the building. Journalists and field reporters quickly pulled out their cameras as they livestreamed the chaos that unfolded. Field reporters pulled back tears to answer the news anchors’ questions. They chased officials, navigated crowds and continued to report despite the tense situation. They did not shrink from fear. They kept their composure and wit as that was the time when the country needed them to broadcast the truth.

Citizen journalism is not in competition with the professional practice of journalism. It is better to recognize the two as supplementary to one another. Established news organizations act as platforms for individual and community-centered stories to find their place in mainstream media. Meanwhile, journalism is further aided through first-hand accounts of citizens who act as “first responders” to a significant event. Hence, with the evolving media landscape, the public is exposed to different stories produced by both organizations and ordinary citizens. This allows for diversity of content. However, a stronger practice in identifying and addressing misinformation is crucial for the public to observe.

This new culture has brought about implications for the formal practice of journalism. Journalist scholars must also consider grassroots and overlooked stories raised by ordinary citizens, without compromising editorial standards. Meanwhile, news organizations must not be isolated from such participatory culture, as citizens themselves are valuable assets to them. Citizen journalists challenge established narratives, and they are essential in interrogating the status quo. In each practice, there is a story told; a story that resonates with the public and one that strikes an individual. Both are important, regardless.