The source, the resource and the collaborator: The role of citizen journalism in UK local newspapers

Lily Canter, PhD student, The University of Sheffield

“There is a role for professional journalism and a role for citizen journalism. The future belongs

to both. It is not an either/or.”

Keith Perch, Editor Leicester Mercury, May 2011

Leicester Mercury Citizens’ Eye

Established as a newspaper 1874 Established 2008 as a website

Flagship Northcliffe Media newspaper and website (DMGT Group)

Community news: Reporting by the people (independent)

Newspaper readership: 54,000Website monthly unique users: 388,000 (ABC figures , March 2011)

Website views: 20,000 a month

Local news in Leicester + surrounding area Issue related news in Leicestershire

60 editorial staff 450 volunteers

www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk www.citizenseye.org

Theoretical frameworkEconomic vs civic conflicts (Jenkins, 2008; Ornebring, 2008; Haas, 2007,

Habermas, 1989)

Contemporary role of the gatekeeper• Retaining gatekeeping via moderation (Hermida and Thurman, 2008; Ornebring, 2008; Deuze, 2006;)

• Redefining gatekeepers as sense-makers (Singer, 2010; Newman, 2009)

• Sharing the gates (Paulussen, 2007; Gillmor, 2006)

Community reporter roles

Pilot collaboration model (RQ1)

Citizens’ Eye feeding Leicester Mercury

brands

Rules of engagement (RQ3)Leicester Mercury Citizens’ Eye

Journalist moderation Setting own news agenda

Accuracy upheld Responsible for checks

Branded as citizen journalism Flexibility over style

No automatic right to publication Cover unreported news

Hard news covered by journalists May complement hard news coverage

High level reporting Low level reporting

Court cases Charity/community events

City council meetings Ward meetings

Investigative journalism Self-interest news

Major events and breaking news* Experts

* These can be complemented by citizen journalists providing additional material such as eyewitness accounts, video, audio and photography

Sub editor writes headlines

Branded as citizen journalism

Photos by Citizens’ Eye

Self interest news

Low level reporting

Hard news followed up by journalists (resource becomes source)

News desk dictate page no.

Flexibility in style

News agenda set by Citizens’ Eye

Complementary collaboration

“It is not about replacing professional journalists it is about supporting them.”

John Coster, Editor Citizens’ Eye, May 2011