Tying citizens with journalism

Last Saturday Mr. Owais Mangalwala, working as an anchor and also producing the shows of Dawn News since 2007, visited Jinnah University for Women (JUW) and gave lecture on "Citizen Journalism" The interactive sessions was attended by the students of mass-communication who participated in the lecture with their wise questions and applause.

"Who is a journalist? He is a normal person like us but with extra abilities. If he wants to favor a cause then he'll portray its good sides but in case he is against it then he'll surely showcase the other side of the coin.

Who is a citizen journalist? When a citizen starts using the tools of journalism in order to communicate and deliver news with each other then he is labeled as a citizen journalist."

The above mentioned answers were delivered by Mr. Mangalwala during the lecture.

Citizen journalism is now a day’s reaching the heights because people are very excited about it; eye witnesses are the big example of it. After every incidence people share their views with the channels. This trend is gradually covering the whole media people are sharing their views by sending videos or pictures to the channel authorities
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Types of citizen journalism:
Mr. Mangalwala highlighted the following types of citizen journalism in his lecture:

• Sharing of experience:

A citizen Journalist must shares his experience with others. We are not bound to trust anyone but its human nature if a person shares his experience we trust him/her.

•   Sharing of opinion:

People who don’t find any place in newspapers and magazines they do blogging to share their opinions

•  Sharing of discovery:

If a person discovers any new experience during an incidence then he shares it with others.

•  Sharing of expertise:

Like a doctor shares his expertise with others same as a doctor if a person shares his expertise with others then he comes under the circle of citizen journalism.

During the lecture he used a term Knowledge democracy which means the sharing knowledge by the people.

Key points a citizen journalist should follow:
Mr. Mangalwala shares the key points that a citizen journalist should follow:

1. What you share must be real and authentic
2. Events are around us. Cover small events.
3. Don't ever think the topic you selected is boring.
4. Be descriptive but don't exaggerate
5. You've to be accurate.
6. Writing style should be attractive. The use of words should be good.
7. You must have a code of conduct. Set your own terms.
8. Avoid plagiarism.
9. Read and learn news writing process before writing any news story
10. Ask feedback and implement it in your work.
11. Keep your eyes open. Everything can be reported.

At the end, Mr. Owais Mangalwala also introduce a show with the students who wants to work as a citizen journalist. The show named as "Meri nazar" in which students can send reports, picture and videos made by them on any event.
Over all the lecture was interactive and informative.