You too can be a citizen journalist....kinda

You reading this article makes me a citizen journalist...

What?

Yes, this is the way it works. The idea behind citizen journalism is that people without professional journalism training can use the tools of modern technology and the global distribution of the Internet to create, augment or fact-check media on their own or in collaboration with others.

There is some controversy over the term citizen journalism, because many professional journalists believe that only a trained journalist can understand the rigors and ethics involved in reporting the news. And conversely, there are many trained journalists who practice what might be considered citizen journalism by writing their own blogs or commentary online outside of the traditional journalism hierarchy. Check out this YouTube video for more ideas.

Here's my take-since there is no moderation due to free speech clauses, people are generally free to write what they want on the web. This is where is becomes dangerous. I can say that as of today this morning, BMW motors will no longer produce automobiles and begin production on a new line of competitor Barbie dolls. Here's the sad part-there might be a huge audience that may read this and actually believe what I wrote and sell BMW stock or burn their 330xi that they have in their lot. So please, citizen journalists, please write with caution and responsibility.

Here is another great article for further discussion.