Citizen Journalism versus Professional journalism

The concept of Citizen Journalism also known as Public or participatory Journalism is based primarily on public citizens playing an active role in the process of accumulating, reporting, analyzing, contributing and/or disseminating news and information across country or globally, for that matter, depending on geographical coverage.

 With the advent of cellular phones and increasing accessibility of technology and internet, Citizen Journalism seems to gain more momentum and its increasing prevalence of news and information worldwide becomes more active. Due to availability of various designs of cellular phones with access to internet and creation of New Media technology, such as social networking and media-sharing websites, Citizen Journalists are more able to report on breaking news more quickly than professional journalists could.

Unregulated Citizen Journalism

As a budding professional journalist, I think Citizen Journalism practice is unregulated and therefore lacks objectivity. First of all, they are not professionally trained to report breaking news. They are not governed nor have they got red-tapes like we professional journalists do – professional journalists adhere to ethical codes for fair, unbiased reporting. It all comes down to professionalism and moral ethics. Many of Citizen Journalists utilize social networking platforms like Twitter and Facebook to disseminate news and information.

 Given such a close-eye by government and a number of watchdog entities, it is crystal clear that professional journalists will continue to have their space secured in media industry because of their proper, accurate and fair reporting I suppose to Citizen Journalist out there. It is an undeniable fact that many Citizen Journalist cannot distinguish between newsworthy stories and breaking news compared to trained professional journalists.

 Subjective reporting by Citizen Journalists

As I have already alluded earlier that it is only professional journalists who can clearly distinguish between objective and subjective reporting in regard to this phenomenon. Due to unfamiliarity of ethical codes and the mere fact that Citizen Journalists are not well-trained journalists, undoubtedly proves how subjective reporting becomes prevalent through social networking and other means of communication. Bias reporting continues to be an unknown concept among Citizen Journalists which paints professional journalists in a bad way and as a result, we lose credibility.

Obviously, if there is no balance reporting among Citizen Journalists and professional journalists, which automatically place a greater jeopardy on our society as a whole, many citizens will be ill-informed and most significantly, lack the knowledge of our state government operates.

Amateurish in quality of coverage

It is clear that without proper training and development, your work becomes mediocre and amateurish. Given the fact that Citizen Journalists are “journalists,” but not by profession, clearly indicates the kind of one would expect to see or hear from them. Let’s not shy away from the fact that reporting a balanced story with balanced sources help community make informed decision based on what is presented to them as news or information.

I think professional journalism will subdue given their proficiency and efficiency in reporting. In spite of the existence of Citizen Journalism, professional journalists know how to balance, analyze and report objectively. Their role will be deemed pivotal at all times.   

RESPECT IS EARNED NOT FREELY GIVEN

Ofentse Ramatsetse

Ever thought what it would be like to be led by leaders with the same leadership skills as Nelson Mandela’s? I bet we would not encounter such mediocrity and poor leadership among today's leaders. I despair for the future of our generation for they're only being fed with misleading and derailing information because our leaders preach impertinent gospel. I react to the three conservative police Commissioners who have been booted out of their office because of their engagement in skullduggery activities which are not in sync with protocol of our constitution. Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, Bheki Cele, and Jackie Selebi are few who have been dismissed from office. One may ask, what is wrong with our government?

After some fine-tooth-comb observation, it dwelt in my mind that such a succession of leaders with malfeasances are voted to power by the republic to lead and deliver sufficiently, but fails the nation beyond doubts. Many aspiring politicians and leaders of tomorrow undergo inaccurate paths as they follow the same trails of these leaders. They are not fed with indispensable knowledge that could help shape our country into a righteous direction.

Therefore, it is not by default that many of  South African youth seems to be indolent ( if that’s a suitable word to describe them), to engage their minds in the politics, social, economic and all pressing issues merely because our so-called leaders seem to have plunged themselves into a deep pool of corruption and embezzlement of the state fund. Given the status quo of our government, it is still impertinent to adorn the stakeholders our government with respect because clearly, none of deserves it, let alone our president, philander – JZ! Oops! Did I just called our president a “philander?” Oh, it must have slipped out by mistake. Our president is not philandering; our president is just a womanizer! HaHaHa! Perhaps this sounds much better, huh?!

Fellas, allow me to ventilate some of the values and customs I live under, I grew up in a patriarchal society where men are supposed to lead with integrity and self-respect, not other way round. Question arises then, how do you respect a man with 22 children? Ofentse, shut up! I am sorry, folk! It must have slipped out by mistake again. Back to business, I personally think the practice of polygamy should be considered a crime in our constitution, mind you, it’s my opinion. First question I am asking myself is, what message is our president sending to young people across the country? Does he teach us to spread infants all over the country? Or is it perhaps because he lacks educational background?

 There are tons of prospective employees out there who are full-fledged and willing to work, but they can’t because people who are voted to power to deliver the essential services to the community tend to give themselves big slice of cakes whereas majority of people get crumbs. If these people could only understand how hard it is to wake up every morning to attend classes, sometimes even when we do not feel like, they would certainly understand why we vehemently demand jobs and better life [for all].

I am deeply saddened by many fellow folks who by virtue of unemployment resort to illicit activities in search of a better life. It turns my stomach to see young people with ‘highest qualifications under their beds being domesticated by drug substances. That, in itself proves that there’s a problem with our government regime. Why do we have to study for so many years then become unemployed after?          

‘The world is in your hands’

Ofentse Ramatsetse -

Those who know her would tell of her kind demeanour - how assertive and nonchalant she always appears to be – her cronies and folks see her as a great epitome of successful and devoted young woman to young children – her colleagues love her infatigable effort in making dreams become reality even when she turns sour sometimes. Community members know the good side of her although she sometimes seem teed-off  by effortless, indolent people who don’t demonstrate dedication particularly the organization  of Youth events because that’s where her core love for children is. Priscilla Jabulile Ntuli is a principled woman driven by love and passion for children – and believes that children are future leaders of tomorrow.

Jabulile Ntuli is one person who believes hard work pays more than anything else in the world in spite of challenging predicaments. Ntuli has abhorrence at heart for people who wake up in the morning without a crystal purpose and a course that would help cultivate our nation into better place. She says “the world is in our hands and we should not wait for anyone to better it if we’re relaxed and do nothing about it.” This beautiful young woman with two kids who is not only a mother to them but the entire community of Ga-rankuwa, made it possible and genuine to orphaned children and some community members that she’s capable of making difference first within her community since the “the world is in her hands.”

Ntuli is the reason many children wake up with smile around the community – she restores hope where there is none – and nurture talent and inculcates spirit of humanity and love where it is inadequate. One would think she’s narrowly focused on children-related affairs, but no! She’s politically inclined too and one of African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) and African National Congress’ Women League (ANCWL) members in Ga-rankuwa branch. Ntuli sees her role as that of being a catalyst of change to many vulnerable, directionless young people around her community – she imparts her messages through Youth development programmes and engages with tons of young people with divergent social issues.

Asked what she does on daily basis which is considered to be her daily obligations, this is what she had to say: ‘well, (she exclaims) honestly, I do a whole lot of things – I am a busy woman. I am a managing director of the youth organization titled, Phaphamang Project where we deal with all internal and external social and societal issues faced by our fellow brothers and sisters within the community not forgetting young vibrant children who, in most instances, become prone to challenges such as detrimental diseases, juvenile delinquency, illicit activities like selling and smoking drug substances due to insufficient knowledge less imparted to them by elders and parents’. Apart from being the managing director, she’s a motivational speaker, Community Development organizer, Youth empowerment and Development coordinator.

Like any other virtue of success epitomes, she’s had her rough moments combined with breakthroughs that made her become who she is today. Asked if she’s ever encountered pitfalls which tempted her positive attitude, she responds: ‘Yes, I recall the moment when I was still growing my organization [Phaphamang], I had a rough time to put it together simply because I have not had enough support and endorsement from my community as they thought I was one of those conman. As a result, I had to put even extra effort to display in an open, my commitment and intentions of constructing such an entity. Finally, I came to know one of my colleagues through whom I gained lot of recognition, but most importantly, show off my good deeds to my community which earned me their respect and love at once.

 Asked what message she could give to people with same aspirations as hers, she said: “the world is in your hands, do not wait for someone to come and help you, think!” This has become her motto and through it, she gains strength and effort to soldier on despite obstacles she may find herself in – she continues to dazzle many with her charitable work and foresee auspicious curve in her good doings.  

67 minutes well spent with orphaned chldren 



Orphaned children play recreational games prior to their mini-party in Ga-rankuwa, Zone 1.

Ofentse Ramatsetse -

With half the country’s citizens rolling up their sleeves to take action in devoting their 67 minutes to help change the world for better and cultivate a global movement for good, the Phaphamang Project organization saw it necessary to celebrate Mandela Day with 29 underprivileged children by making a mini-birthday party as a symbol of showing love and appreciation; the function was held in Zone 1, Ga-rankuwa, on the 21st of July.

South Africa has approximately 70% of orphaned children who most of them are indigent and not well looked after. As a result, many of them end up becoming street-beggars, criminals and rape casualties in search of a noble life like other children. These young leaders of tomorrow fail to pursue their dreams in life as many are ill-advised, marginalized and out-casted by some of the community members which leave them with no hope in life.

 In spite of these inhuman circumstances, Phaphamang Project made it their duty to make these orphans feel love and warmth they deserve like any other child who has both parents. Proper meal and recreational games were made to cheer them up and make them feel needed again. Many of these disadvantaged children were privileged enough as they were born on the same month as the world icon Nelson Mandela.

Phaphamang Project managing director, Priscilla Ntuli, said the main objective behind the birthday party was to give back to the needy and underprivileged children in doing so to make them feel loved and cared for by the community. Ntuli further emphasized that there was a need to exercise their mentality of that being an orphan means you don’t have anyone to look after you.

“The purpose of this event is giving; making these kids happy and showing them how much they’re loved and needed in our community. Being an orphan does not mean you do not have anyone in the world who cares about you and your well being, the world is in our hands as individuals to make difference in people’s lives.” 

Vusi Mnguni, a caretaker of orphaned children on voluntary basis, said it melted his heart to see people making difference in the community by empowering those who cannot empower themselves. Mnguni said such occasions prolong the legacy of “Utata Madiba” that aimed at bettering the lives of people.

“It shows that there are people who care about others; who are willing to give what they have, and I do not want to call it a sacrifice because it’s some kind of empowerment to people who lack it. It’s also a lead that was put out by Utata madiba to say that any work you perform makes the world a better place.”

Different organizations were also summoned over to give children sermons on how to deal with pressing social problems within their society that challenges them such as discrimination, hatred and any other kind of abuse, to mention few. Among the speakers was Neria from Child and Youth Care; Joyce from Keep Mzansi Btiful; Beatrice Mpho Mabilisa from Rainbow Youth Development Forum.

A Medical Technician in Blood Transfusion Technology, Boitshoko Lephadi, said such events should be held most often as they reinvigorate and bring excitement to orphaned children whom some of them are family-headed.

“We Phaphamang Project thought it would be best for us to make these kids feel at home; to feel the environment of what a party is; to have a proper meal at home because some of these kids are orphans and some are family-headed children. So, we thought it would be good for them to feel like children again.” said Ntuli

Many of the children received gifts from Phaphamang Project as tokens of love and appreciation such as wash-cloth, educational DVDs on epidemic diseases such as HIV/AIDS; bible covers and many more.