A panel discussion about bias in media and concerns with citizen journalism

by Marc DeRoberts

Two topics that were discussed in my classes aroused curiosity for me to seek out the opinions of local experts: bias in the media and concerns with citizen journalism.

I conducted interviews with journalism professors at Elon, who not only are up to date on these issues because of their academic professions, but also have an maintained professional careers in journalism, as well as Lex Alexander, formerly of Greensboro's News and Record, and Scott McCrary, a producer at CBS News.

In the spirit of non-linear formats and interactivity, I arranged their video responses in a panel-like discussion for your viewing pleasure. Here's the link. Be sure to roll-over their names for a bio.

Overall responses were as follows:

• Citizen journalism is not legitimate, but has a place to keep media in check as well as alert larger media organizations to bigger issues.
  
• Lex Alexander offered a different opinion on this issue, stating that journalism is an act and people not only commit it all the time, but have a right to do so.
• Opinions injected in news can be healthy only if the format provides it.
  
• In larger media outlets bias can be seen by the context of which news is distributed, the voices they include and the amount of time given to these voices over others.

It's been both a pleasure writing to this blog and very inspirational to seek out a career as a multimedia journalist after graduation.

Thanks for reading!