Abstract

Information and communication technologies (ICT) are imposing a radical reform in journalism and media education. Without a strategic, participatory pedagogical vision, journalism and media literacy will not work to the advantage of the plan for a democratic and inclusive information society. By the same token, they will be unable to reduce the gap experienced world-wide between training and employment, nor will they have a positive impact on Government or media operators’ policies, nor on the practices of professionals and citizens, particularly in cyberspace. The media are a source of knowledge, a development tool, a citizenship matrix, a source for construction of the «social being» and peace. The ultimate issue is the advent of an inclusive information society, and particularly in the countries of the South, its solid emergence depends on an «emancipation journalism». This must be the objective of all media education.

Abstract

The conceptual relationships between what has been called citizen journalism, participatory journalism and crowdsourcing journalism in the context of the evolution of user-generated content (UGC) in the media are examined. The research on user participation in the media, since the first studies of interactivity to the most recent work addressing specific issues such as quality or control, is also reviewed.

Abstract

In recent years the digital media have opened their doors to so-called citizen journalism. Nevertheless, far from some declarations that present the reader as another journalist, the reality is very different. This article compares the sections of informative participation in four digital editions of printed newspapers from 2009 to nowadays in order to analyze two aspects: whether the media frankly trust the readers, beyond inviting them to play at being journalists; and what is the reader’s response.

Abstract

Crowdsourcing and crowdmapping tools such Ushahidi (testimony or witness in Swahili) give value to the communication chain. They allow individuals, institutions, and journalistic organizations to take advantage of the flow of information provided by the users, although the process is not without some difficulties. Ushahidi, based on free software, offers a broad range of applications to be used in media contexts. First, Ushahidi focuses on data through a participatory map of georeferenced information and then it addresses the verification of the information provided by the citizens. From the analysis of the bibliography and some study cases, we describe a specific area of collaboration between professional journalists and citizen journalists in the creation, distribution, and verification of content. International media which have used Ushahidi include The guardian, BBC, Al jazeera and Huffington post.

Abstract

The perceptions of journalists who work in traditional media with an online version and journalists working in online native media about the advantages and disadvantages of digital journalism in realtion to conventional one are compared. Citizen participation in the informative processes is analyzed, as well as some ethical and deontological journalism principles.

Abstract

The possibilities offered by information and communication technologies have allowed many people to become political content creators. Often, the produced content is not based on information created by professionals. The objective of this work is to analyse the relationship between the monitoring of political information in professional media and the production of political content in non-professional media. The study performs a secondary analysis of the data obtained by applying the statistical method to surveys published by the Spanish Centre for Sociological Research (CIS, Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas) between 2011 and 2016. The results show that there is a strong relationship between the participation in blogs and forums of political debate and the use of the Internet to stay informed about politics. It has also been observed that there is an association between the creation of political content and the monitoring of political programs through the press, radio and television.

Abstract

The possibilities offered by information and communication technologies have allowed many people to become political content creators. Often, the produced content is not based on information created by professionals. The objective of this work is to analyse the relationship between the monitoring of political information in professional media and the production of political content in non-professional media. The study performs a secondary analysis of the data obtained by applying the statistical method to surveys published by the Spanish Centre for Sociological Research (CIS, Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas) between 2011 and 2016. The results show that there is a strong relationship between the participation in blogs and forums of political debate and the use of the Internet to stay informed about politics. It has also been observed that there is an association between the creation of political content and the monitoring of political programs through the press, radio and television.

Abstract

This chapter presents experience with participatory transport planning in eight European metropolitan regions: Ljubljana, Oslo, Gothenburg, Helsinki, Budapest, Rome, Porto and Barcelona. These metropolitan regions answered the questionnaire on strengths, weaknesses and needs and an in-depth questionnaire on participatory transport planning. The results were presented at a workshop, where representatives from these eight metropolitan regions shared their experience in two workshop sessions, one dealing with the key stakeholders in participatory transport planning and the other dealing with ways to get them involved. The findings show that stakeholder involvement differs between the local and regional levels. Participants’ engagement is greater at the local level, where measures are more concrete and less abstract. The participatory planning process takes longer than the traditional planning processes, but it can ease the implementation of the project/measure to the extent that it justifies the additional resources and time. It is of crucial importance to include all the relevant stakeholders, to provide an experienced facilitator and, above all, to include the results in the final plans and policies. Although there are differences in the participatory planning culture between the countries and regions involved, the use of participatory methods in transport planning is becoming increasingly important. Document type: Part of book or chapter of book

Abstract

Since the emergence and growing popularity of digital technologies and social media platforms, the relationship between professional and citizen journalism has been challenging. In recent years, however, this critical relationship has de-escalated due to a growing collaboration in shaping a complemental news repertoire. This study examines how social and traditional news use and users’ perceptions on professional journalism affect citizens’ news content creation. Based on survey data from Spain, we first find that social media use for news and users’ positive perceptions on professional journalism predict citizens’ news production behavior. Second, social media use for news and traditional media consumption are explored as additive moderators over the relationship of users’ perceptions on professional journalism on citizens’ news content creation, showing a positive significant effect. This study contributes to current conversations on the potential symbiotic association between professional and citizens journalism, arguing that citizens’ perceptual appraisals on professional journalism are key in fostering public’s participation through news content creation.