The Public as the Fourth Estate, a Sub-Culture

Even my mom has email.

Soon most American will have Internet connection like most have a TV or radio. Except now people like you and me can broadcast, not just the "media." The personal broadcasts of YouTube and Myspace are an examples of this evolving form of communication.

What if we collectively reported on the government, schools and corporations and not just our personal lives?

This is the first time in the history of mankind that people without wealth and power can create the first draft of history. The news can be about the people's concerns and not the concerns of the elite.

Citizen Journalism is already happening. Ohmy in Korea has an English language version that covers international news as well as Korean news. Wikipedia's article on OhmyNews needs some some additional information. For example, it needs to give the history of Public Journalism and link. I'll try to edit that entry when I have some time.

There are links on the left column of this Blog to more Citizen Journalism but Ohmy is the largest and valued at $11 million.

It's the dawn of a new age. Thus far the dim light has shown us very little. Hopefully the Internet will grow up and be more than a lustful and escapist entertainment. (Not that that's all bad.) Put the strength of this tool to nobler goals won't simply happen.

There needs to be a culture in order for this phenomenon to happen. And cultural movements usually have there origins in some sort of sub-culture. I'm trying to create a sub-culture.

Even if, say, the New York Times poured million in to new technology and web-related services Americans might to support citizen journalism. After all only 70% of American people have Internet. But far less probably have access at home. I don't believe America has developed that kind of culture yet judging by low voter turn-out and other factors.

Still there may be a watershed event that could trigger public participation in the news.

For now this blog is a start. Perhaps if you, out there, can post information that concerns you about our local schools we can construct a new paradigm.

Remember the beginnings of MTV? Who would of guessed the culture that it has now become. Instead of Veejays with big hair posing in cheesy urban sets, people like my mom could be a part of the "media."