Such online tools not only allow citizens to feel increasingly connected to their communities, but they also provide the opportunity for more balanced reporting. Of course, readers must be able to trust their citizen reporters. Beckett notes, “They are not usually in it for the money…Untrustworthy or irrelevant bloggers tend to get ignored.” However, there’s always the question whether networked journalism will eventually eliminate the role of the practiced journalist. In that case, consider a certification process that would maintain ethical standards of practice and promote self-regulation, net neutrality and accuracy. (via How Citizen Journalism Is Reshaping Media and Democracy)
