Assignment

Discuss citizen journalism. Also discuss how online media have been vital in the development of citizen journalism.

The concept of citizen journalism is based upon public playing active role in the process of gathering and distributing information, reporting, airing, discussing and sharing contents, information and news happening around them or something which they experience or see. despite not having professional training as journalists. Thus, it’s the possibility to capture news contents when professional journalists and media houses don’t have any access to, as the possibility to spread and discuss topics ignored by mainstream press. Citizen journalism enforces 'every citizen is a reporter' ideology in its practice.

Today everyone can create their own platform where they can share their ideas and reciprocate simultaneously instead of be passive in front of opinions of a selected few as it’s common at most media houses. They no longer have to face one way channel of communication because due to the advancement of internet technology, two way channel of communication has been open embraced by the people. Similarly, the concept of citizen journalism has emerged due to the ability to create digital audio and video with ease and simplicity of distributing text, photos, audio and video over the internet.

To sumup, citizen journalism is viewed as a way to reconnect with readers and viewers because this perspective has given an opportunity to talk back, air their opinions and contribute new information.

Online media have been vital in the development of citizen journalism because online media have given people the chance to reach to the wide audiences and made them easy to get access of inexpensive printing, to create digital audio and video and at the same time, to distribute text, photo, audio and video over internet.

With the availability of social networking sites such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and other social bookmarking sites, users have found endless number of possibilities to express his or her ideas without any barriers. For instance, it is said that national wide revolution in Egypt was possible due to the initiative of the bloggers.

Online channels also make possible to edit, mix and recreate the contents to be shared again, that generates versions of a certain fact in the own user’s language. Thus, the other main feature of citizen journalism is that it's usually found online. In fact, the emergence of the Internet - with blogs, podcasts, streaming video and other Web-related innovations - is what has made citizen journalism possible.

Similarly, with the help of online media, control of the publishing process from brands and companies has shifted to the users themselves on online environment. With advancement of online media, citizen journalism can be done in several ways, as the examples below:

•    Commenting on sites, blogs and social media channels

•    Sharing pictures and videos on issues you observe

•    Sharing views and opinions on sites and social media channels about global and regional issues

•    Writing to news sites promoting citizen journalism.

 In conclusion, citizen journalism is when private individuals do essentially what professional reporters do - report information. That information can take many forms, from a podcast editorial to a report about a city council meeting on a blog. It can include text, pictures, audio and video. With wide platforms made availiable by online media, citizen journalism has become possible. Thus, online media  has democratized nature which has made possible the emergence of citizen journalism.

How does online redefine the notion of mass communication? Discuss with suitable examples?

Accordind to DeFleur and Dennis, Mass Communication is a process in which professional communicators use media to disseminate messages widely, rapidly and continuously to arouse intended meaning in large and diverse audiences in attempts to influence them in a variety of ways. Tradition media such as print and broadcast celebrate the notion of one way channel of communication i.e. journalists distribute information to public and public on the other hand solely depend upon media personalities to know about events happening around them. However, with the emergence of online media, the concept of mass communication has got new dimension.

With the existence of different social networking sites such as facebook, twitter, blogs, etc, it's not necessary that the information has been disseminated by the professional communicators. At the same time, the platform such as ‘what’s on your mind?’ in facebook has given peoples an opportunity to share any form of information which may not any impact on people.

Despite the fact that traditional media has uplifted the concept of mass communication, there is  very less opportunity for audiences to respond back. However, in the context of online media, there is a thin line between writer and readers. Every second, readers can give feedbacks to the writer as a result, new idea can come from among readers' perspective.

Likewise, newspaper, radio and television which are traditional media may have territorial constraint and may have local audiences. However, in online media, everyone can come from anywhere in the world, not just from a local audience.

To sum up, online media has given new platform to people where they can be publisher because of availability of different technologies it has incorporated in itself. Thus, the concept of mass communication has got new horizon due to the advancement of online media.

Write short note on Mark Zuckerberg.

Mark Zuckerberg is the founder and CEO of facebook which he started in his college. Zuckerberg is responsible for setting the overall direction and product strategy for Facebook. He leads the design of Facebook’s service and development of its core technology and infrastructure. Zuckerberg attended Harvard University and studied computer science before founding Facebook.

While at Harvard, Zuckerberg created Facemash, a website that compared students’ dorm photos side-by-side. Harvard administration was not amused, and Zuckerberg faced subsequent disciplinary action. Less than three months later, he launched Facebook.Zuckerberg won the 2007 Crunchie Award for ‘Best Startup CEO.’ He was the Time Magazine 2010 Person of the Year.

Discuss functions and dysfuctions of Web 2.0 and social media with suitable example.

Web 2.0 is a concept that takes the network as a platform for information sharing, user centered design, and collaboration on the World Wide Web. A Web 2.0 site allows users to interact and collaborate with each other in a social media dialogue as creators of user generated content in a virtual community. Web 2.0 is all about collaboration and sharing, the very forces that are driving citizen journalism.

The functions of Web 2.0 are information sharing, interoperability, user-centered design, and collaboration on the World Wide Web.

1.     It allows people to manipulate data, not just retrieve data.

2.     Creates connections between people: It creates connections between people, between sites, between the Web and mobile worlds, between buyers and sellers. Web 2.0 includes all of them. At its heart, the new Web is about moving from a one-to-many publishing model to a many-to-many one

3.     It allows people to be a publishers

Although Web 2.0 technologies and concepts have been integrated into a wide variety of websites, there are certain categories that exemplify their use. These include:

·         Blogs (Web logs)

Although blogs are typically written by a limited set of individuals, many platforms include a commenting feature that allows readers to record their thoughts and viewpoints. Blogs typically use RSS syndication as an interchange format, as well as for pushing content to readers, aggregators, and mashups.

·         Photo sharing sites

Websites designed for sharing photographs are also integrating Web 2.0 features such as tagging, commenting, and RSS. At the same time, the content being uploaded by their users is creating unique collections of digital images, raising their profiles and usefulness.

·         Social bookmarking sites

These sites provide common Web 2.0 services, including tagging, commenting/reviewing, and rating services. However, some are also now leveraging that data to provide ranking and social search functionality for their users.

·         Wikis

These are websites which allow users to add, edit, and delete content in an effort to channel the collective wisdom of their users. Some have integrated RSS feeds for their content as well.

·         Social networks

These are websites designed for community interaction, either with a specific focus or for general use. Users typically maintain profiles or pages for displaying personal information, which can then be commented on or added to by other users.

Social media includes web-based and mobile based technologies which are used to turn communication into interactive dialogue among organizations, communities, and individuals. Social media has been defined as a group of Internet-based applications that build on the ideological and technological foundations of web 2.0, and that allow the creation and exchange of user-generated content. Social media is ubiquitously accessible, and enabled by scalable communication techniques. Functions of Social media are as follows:

 Monitor

One of the most basic functions of social media is to help businesses monitor their name, brand, and products as they’re discussed in the online world. This is a crucial point that many businesses overlook. There will always be conversations online and in real life about people, places and things and there is nothing anyone can do to stop it. But a business can monitor and listen to those conversations and in some cases join in on the conversation. This is particularly important when it comes to negative comments about a company’s product or service. 

 Connect

One of the most valuable functions of social media is the ability to connect with people. Social media, in any shape or form, creates a public persona for a business that allows it to connect with consumers. Facebook is a perfect example of how businesses can connect with consumers. All it takes is one person to become a fan of the company. Then that person is updated regularly on sales and regular goings on in the business, but also on the people behind the business, what they’re doing, what they’re supporting and what they’re thinking. 

Interact

Once you’ve monitored what people are saying and you’ve connected with them on some level, the next step is to interact with them. This is the ultimate goal of social media because its possibilities are limitless for your business. Once you start interacting regularly with people, you can learn more about them.

People of Imadol resolve water problem

Even when Kathmandu has openly embraced the notion of urbanization, woes of common Nepalis are limited to basic needs such as inadequacy of drinking water. Still large number of people relies on Dhundae Dhara for drinking water which doesn’t function well.

In the quest of getting drinking water, people of Naya Basthi, Imadol have founded a committee which collects Rs. 25 each from 52 houses of the locality per month. The collected money is then paid to the authority of Godawari water supplier which then supplies raw water that comes from the pipe fitted in thelocality. Parbati Timalsina, a money collector said, “We have been getting water facility for past five years and the money collected is paid to godawari water supplier via Yuva Samuha.” However, she said that the water supplied is not sufficient for everyone in the locality. “Still most of the people buy22 liters water bottle which costs around Rs. 50 per bottle.” She said. Pipe, which isused to supply water, was provided by Government five years ago.

http://yourlisten.com/channel/content/16899442/Water_solution_in_imadol

According to Bishnu Timalsina, Chairman of Imadol village development committee, about 90% of the families in Naya Basthi use underground water for household purposes. However, underground water which contains large amount of iron is unsuitable to drink.

Raw wter supplied from Godawari is not purified to drink directly. Water guard should be put in the water or the water should be boiled and filtered.

Rita Adhikari, resident of Naya Basthi, said, “Water comes in an alternative days and one has to wait for hours to fill empty buckets which is a tedious job in itself.”

With the initiative of residents of Imadol, drinking water is available to some extent although problems are still prevalent.

           

Audio

http://yourlisten.com/channel/content/16899442/Water_solution_in_imadol

                                                                                                                                                                       

                                                                              Video
                        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwt7q3tT5Q0&feature=g-upl

Animation

lost

“Nani you are already 22 and who knows within one or two years, this day might be the day of your life”. My mother was sarcastically pondering out her motherly innocence towards me whereas, I was arguing with her about not to even think of my marriage until I reach 28. “O my God!! You will be ageing by then and no good looking; financially stable suitor will prefer you.” “But ma isn’t it necessary for me to fall for the guy. How can anyone marry just because one has reached of certain age?” I was saying all these things to her when ma abruptly interrupted me and mockingly said, “Then why don’t you fall for a guy Luna?” Upon listening to her question, I was dumb folded for a while. How could I say that her daughter had recently experienced awful heartbreak and was recovering from it and how, to love someone and being loved in returned were two totally different things. I couldn’t say any of these things to her. So I preferred to make an excuse and went away. From the very beginning, I always sought for true love. My two best friends Rashmee and Ashmi used to always suggest me not to take love too seriously. “Luna, be friends with that cutie; go on a date, you don’t really have to fall for a guy just to hang out with him.” But I always saved my love for someone special who, I thought would love me as much as I did. Ashmi had once told me, “You shouldn’t bind yourself. God helps those who help themselves. So how can you expect to find love without reaching out to the people?” After that I decided to give it a shot and eventually found Arpit in my life. Arpit, a typical engineering student with a rough looks, was a wrong profile for me when I first met him after our encounter in Facebook . But when I started not to judge a book by its cover, I found him quite interesting. I thought he was ‘my type of guy’; down to earth, family oriented and full of life. Omg!! How jolly I was when I talked to my best friends describing about my first date as soon as I met them the other day. How happy I used to be when I used to get Arpit’s miscalls. I was giddy. I was gaga. I drove my friends insane with endless recitations of “He likes me” He likes me not” “Do you think he likes me?” I was naïve in love and thought it to be picture perfect. “You met this guy just for seven or eight times and what made you think that he loves you? Remember Luna, when a guy flirts with you, it doesn’t mean that he likes you; when he likes you, it doesn’t mean that he wants to date you; when he dates you, it doesn’t mean that he loves you and when he loves you, it doesn’t mean that he won’t hurt you.” Rashmee was telling me all those things while I was crying over this guy who, after our seventh date, seemed to ignore me. All of the sudden, he wasn’t picking up my phone calls; he had stopped giving me a routine miscalls or sending me a message. At that time, I simply wished I hadn’t expected too much from him and shouldn’t have taken his friendly gestures as a sign of undying love towards me. Days and nights, I would pray to God to erase his existence from my mind. I cursed myself for easily falling in love even without giving it a second thought. The most depressing thing was that I really didn’t have any clue why Arpit suddenly started ignoring me. Was I sounding childish all the time when I used to declare my fetish for cartoons to him? Or was I too self centered while talking to him over the phone without asking for his say on anything? I don’t know. Well, I think he didn’t find me ‘his type of girl’ or simply he was afraid of commitment. “Luna, don’t expect anything from me.” He had once told me but at that time, I didn’t have slightest of idea that our three months affair would have an abrupt end. I didn’t want to easily give up on Arpit. So, for the last time, I called him. Literally drunk at that time, I repeatedly babbled pathetically,” Arpit, please don’t leave me please.” I could remember him silently saying, “I won’t.” I realized it later that he was saying all those things for the sake of saying. Love can make people do many stupid things which they realize after the magic of love slowly start to fade away. After lot of coaxing, my heart has finally let essence of Arpit go out of me. Well, in a positive note, I have come to accept my latest failed attempt to find true love as bitter experience. I think if everything isn’t ok, it’s not the end. I know that I’ll find my true love someday somewhere. It’s just that Arpit and I were never meant to be for each other. At the same time, there’s no guarantee that in my second attempt, I would eventually find my Mr. Right. But that doesn’t mean I would stop falling for guys. With the help of Arpit, I got to know myself even more and will always thank him for teaching me a lesson of never to trust people too soon. Till then for Arpit in Adele’s words, “never mind, I’ll find someone like you or may be even better than you…I wish nothing but the best for you…..”

life

u learn lessons from ur failures...and u move on...who cares what happen to u until and unless...u belong to their 'list'.. and to remind u that to fall in their list...u have to be a lucky one...coz no one loves u for granted....u have to earn ur place in their life.....

Tia's life

this is how i am. i just can't understand why people feel difficult to understand me.why can't they just admit that i am deaf? instead they want to spoil the circumstances around me by giving me false hopes and meaningless sympathies.

i lost my parents in a car accident.i was the one to ask my father, who was driving, to turn around so that i could show him the makeup that i was applying on my face.at that time, i didn't have slightest of idea that my childish prank would take my parents' life. my dear father, he lost control of his car and the last thing that i could remember is the hospital bed drenched with blood and mute people looking pathetically sorry for my state.

life moves on and we must let go things that are beyond our reach.so i too have started living on my own, neglecting harsh reality and ,at the same time, creating my own small world. i am fifteen years old and i live with my distance aunt who is kind to me. the word 'kind' seems so strange nowadays because i can use that word only to describe handful of people. to me, rest of the world seems like a dead people walking on the street with cold eyes and fake smile. at school, i am target of bullies who have guts to take my hearing aid off my ears and pass heartbreaking comments about me. i do cry but not infront of them because,i guess,i have grown up little earlier than rest of the kids of my age.

i see my relatives and through their eyes, i could feel how sorry they are for me.but i don't want that sympathy time and again. i have moved on though sometimes past hunts me in the forms of nightmares but then, i like to be treated like a normal kid. but no.i always find that extra care and concern only for me.

when teenage comes, no matter how much you deny this feeling, you are likely to be the victim of attraction towards opposite sex and i am not an exceptional. i like this guy who is my classmate. i like him not just because he has a cool hairdo or because he owns branded gadgets. i simply like the way he is. by the way, he is good to me and never makes fun of my hearing aid.

so one day, i collected all my strength to confess my undying love for him. i asked him to meet me at the backyard of the playground after school. he was good enough to accept my invitation. i could feel those goosebumps when he showed up. finally, i poured out my feelings for him only to get rejected. i was shattered. i was devastated. the most embarrassing thing was him saying,"i have great respect for your effort but how can i be in a relationship with a physically challenged person like you." i guess that was life's lesson. you don't get everything what you want and i am learning it pretty well.

i have a dream of becoming a social worker so that i could be able to help less fortunates. i believe in fairy tales and 'happily ever after' statement because life sustains in hope.so someday i believe that my small world will be accepted by the outsiders and my prince charming will find me and take me to his world where we will be living happily ever after.......

i am beautiful..:)

This is a new feeling...feeling of rising like a star and being able to dream much bigger and brighter...i don't know from when and for how long..it took me to realize that i am beautiful..i really am..and i don't have any doubts on this...any more....i may find myself with unmanageable hair...with big spectacles which i really dislike..and of coarse.with a pimp lee face...but to tell you the truth....i am actually falling in love with my face....however...to remind you that i am not being a part two Narcissus...but for now...i am not ashamed of admitting nadir feelings of mine that "i lop myself"...



During childhood...i had this inferiority complex feelings regarding my physical features...every person has a dream that he/she be appreciated..and liked by others...but in my case...i was deprived of praises regarding my appearence.i used to really hate my boyish face..thanks to my short haircut...because of which...my friends used to tease me..and i used to often cry....i desperately pinned to be an adult...in a hope that an ugly duckling might turn into a beautiful swan...hehehe...people say never to judge a book by its cover..but in reality...we often chose book by its cover..and...in the same way...people do like those who have good appearance......



I don't entirely blame others for making me feel insecure about my appearance...i am also equally guilty for not being confident about myself....i used to compare myself with others and ..used to find fault....i was ignorant and due to my ignorance...i invited many headaches..which were...useless and unnecessary......



i now know that i am beautiful...no matter..what others think about me...i am one of a kind and i appreciate my effort to look beautiful..as the way i am .....:):):):):)

Fragile state

road is long
life is short
eyes are numb
brain seems dumb
can't guess on
coz i'm drunk..;)