online journalism stands to alter dramatically the traditional role of the reporter and editor" (Harper, 2003, p. 272) Do you agree? Why?

I think this question boils down to the trustworthiness of the reporter.  The online environment allows for anyone with an internet connection to become a citizen journalist and report news – be it on a blog, Twitter, Facebook or submitting an article to the Huffington Post. But does having the ability to broadcast news necessarily make you a trustworthy news source?

The Media Alliance Code of Ethics describes the fundamental principles of journalism as the “respect for truth and the publics right to information” and that journalist commit themselves to “honesty, fairness and independence”. Their 12 bullet points on what makes an ethical journalist cover things such as “striving for accuracy”, “giving a fair opportunity for reply”, “attributing a source” and not allowing “personal internet, or any believe, commitment, payment, gift of benefit, to undermine accuracy, fairness or independence”(Media Alliance Code of Ethics  2005). All of which relate to the gathering of information and the telling of a story, not on medium used to present it to a wider audience.

Harper also touches on this in the reading quoting computer consultant Leah Gentry as saying “It took a while for radio and TV journalists to discover how to use the strengths of their particular media to tell stories. On the web, we have the same challenge” (Harper 2003)p 276. Here Gentry doesn’t see role of the journalist as different in the online environment, the underlying fundamentals remain the same.

Therefore overall I would say that I don’t agree with the above statement as it is still the role of reporters (be it journalist or citizen journalist) and editors to gather information and check facts in order to present news to an audience. The online environment doesn’t change this; it just means that there are more places for news to be consumed and more opportunity for ethical journalists and editors to rise to the top as trustworthy sources of information.

Harper, C. 2003. Journalism in a Digital Age. Democracy and new media: 271-280. lms.curtin.edu.au/@@59FE5910C5E0F0C6A9542F9A2E4F0BF9/courses/1/312160-Vice-Chancello-935083018/db/_2975043_1/embedded/Christopher%20Harper.pdf (accessed 7/11/11).

  Media Alliance Code of Ethics. 2005. http://www.alliance.org.au/information-centre/media/view-category (accessed 8/11/11)