As we all know, it is easy to get
access to the information nowadays with the advancement of technologies. In
just a minute, millions of content can be uploaded on the internet. Using
various search engines such as Google and Yahoo, people have more choice than
anybody else. This has contribute to the fact of emerging new group of
reporters naming themselves; citizen journalist.
The interpretation of which
citizen journalists might be different for different people. Citizen
journalists give good opportunity for anybody to report, write or tell people
what they feel about an issue. An accident that just happened in Federal
Highway could go viral by just only one post on Twitter, enough to create chaos
to the whole Twitter environment.
Citizen journalist not only able
to give the fastest updates but also have high tendency to write on something
which is not true. Gossip is a part of citizen journalist’s job. By just
stating a controversial statement about a celebrity or politician, these highly
influenced figures would have his or her reputation jeopardized by at least 140
characters. (If you get what I mean)
That is why in using new media
and publishing any online content, it is important to verify every single
information that you have. Validity of news would ensure good reputation of
your organization. You don’t want people to perceive you as liar or spinner or
any other words that could bring your organization’s image down.
Nobody can deny the fact that new
media were our source of news too. In last Tsunami’s tragedy in Japan, new
media plays a vital role in creating buzz as well helping spreading alerts
among the people nearby. This positive side of new media in disseminating
information should be fully utilized especially in our public relations field.
PR practitioners nowadays need to
be IT savvy. Knowing how to handle and interact with your various publics using
social media is a crucial part of serving your main task as a PR practitioner.
As the idiom says, ‘Tepuk Dada Tanya Selera’ the choice is yours. You don’t
want to stay back from all these technologies in order to not only place
yourself but the most important thing is the image of your organization into a
better place through the perspectives of your audience’s eyes.
Nurdhiya’aizat Bin Othman
2011646018
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