Global Narratives & Citizen Journalism

Global Narratives appeal to anyone seeking awareness, a cause to support or simply a desire to revel in an other's pain or prosperity. The appeal differs depending where in the world the receiver is and who the sender is. In the US for example, foreign struggles, disasters or movements are especially appealing. One reason is that their are so many cultures represented in this country that there is bound to be individuals and groups who associate themselves with the narrative. Another reason, the main one in my opinion though some may not agree, is the desire to be part of something "real." In the US we live a privileged life. This is not to say there aren't challenges faced and improvements to be made, but overall there is no immediate danger to our lives when we leave our houses, the majority are not in a state of life or death poverty or hunger and our government is not a totalitarian threat with unlimited power in restricting our basic freedoms. When narratives showing these events are sent they are received openly with huge support because Americans want to see and be part of something "real," instant, immediate, a feeling of being alive.

Citizen Journalism represents the present and future of how narratives get sent around the world. The advantages of citizen journalism include instant access to raw, unchanged stories easily shared with no monetary gains associated (mostly) and without any professional (media outlet) agendas. Also, it allows for stories to be shared when they may otherwise be blocked (for example, the Iranian Movement media that has been leaked by citizen journalist that would never have been seen if the government had their way of censorship). However, there are individuals who use their stories to distribute fiction as fact or use a specific representation of the story to lead receivers to believe what they desire them to believe. There are also ethical issues since there are no filters for citizens to distribute their narratives through technological means like there are filters/ethical 'laws' for professional journalist to follow. Overall, I think citizen journalism is a good alternative way to get information as long as receivers are intelligent enough to always go looking for the other side of the story, and not taking everything they see as fact (in gullible, instant expectation America, this is not easy feat).