Revisioning Photojournalism ****************************************************************************************** * Revisioning Photojournalism ****************************************************************************************** ‘What does it mean to bear witness in a moment of crisis?’ was the first question posed to Professor Stuart Allan, in his lecture Revisioning Photojournalism: Citizen Witnessing and Visual Truths. The Deputy Head of Cardiff University’s School of Journalism, Media and Cul by Charles University’s Social Sciences Faculty on the 21st of October, to speak about pho lecture focussed especially on the impact of mobile photojournalism on the media and news this has changed what it means to be a photojournalist. The way we witness events, as a culture, has of course altered dramatically since the adve photograph and Internet technology. Instant wireless communication between different parts is now possible, more than possible – normal, every day. Our need as a culture, to share e instantly, has grown in tandem with this technology. Therefore, the question of what it me witness in a moment of crisis, opens a very different dialogue than the same question woul ago. We now possess the tools to capture events, and instantly upload the footage. Profess to this as ‘citizen journalism’. This citizen journalism provides an alternative to the mo professional media sources. It is a different being in many ways – quicker, less professio personal. The most interesting though, is its ‘lack of intent’. The average citizen does n an agenda in reporting an event or crisis, as a professional news source might. Does this efficiency of report, and decreased biasness, deem more traditional sources redundant?

The lecture concluded with Professor Allan emphasising of being alert to the prospect of change being brought to the photojournalism industry, ye time recognising the opportunities brought by citizen journalism, to provide collaborative industry that is ultimately changing. 

No doubt was left in the lecture that ‘citizen journalism’ is having a detrimental impact media companies. For example, in 2013 the Chicago Sun-Times made their entire photography due to their plans to generate more web-based content; even Pulitzer Prize winning journal was not saved in the sacrifice. Similarly, in May of this year, the Australian media compa Ltd. announced plans of eighty redundancies for editorial positions, in a move towards mor These companies’ actions perhaps indicate their fear that ‘citizen journalism’ is in fact traditional sources redundant, and that they must move towards more instant news reporting accessibility. Professor Allen also discussed the idea that citizen journalism has affected the way we de involved in a crisis. Two events from the previous year were used as examples – the politi Lee Rigby in Woolich, England, and the 2013 Boston marathon bombing. (Both reported in rea events were unfolding, through social media.) Due to mobile phone footage, the Lee Rigby k detonators were identified almost immediately. The public footage of the ‘visual truths’ o was a positive force, and achieved something more traditional styles of photojournalism pe The lecture concluded with Professor Allan emphasising the importance of being alert to th change being brought to the photojournalism industry, yet at the same time recognising the brought by citizen journalism, to provide collaboratively for an industry that is ultimate Professor Allan told of his ‘pleasure’ at visiting Charles University’s Department of Jour that he was struck not only by the differences between British and Czech Journalism, but a similarities. He ‘hope(s) to continue the conversation in the years ahead.’ Elizabeth Moen is in her second year of an English Literature degree and working as a free University has been invigorating; Prague has bewitched her with its eccentricities and sty her to develop herself as a journalistic writer. She is interested in people, places, and