Thanks for the developing of technology, everyone now can be a "publisher" . We can take photos from our cellphones and cameras and put them up on web, or write a blog about your passions. We upload whatever pictures, text and videos that we think it's funny, important or simply to express our opinions on the web. We capture the first hand information and spread the news, we actually provide access for people to look at. We can be anywhere and anytime when the professions can not. It creates a mass amateurization, many of us is part of it. Sometimes, mass amateurization is necessary.
In June 4th, 1989, when Tiananmen Square massacre had happened, there were people/students at scene trying to take pictures and videos to record what was really happening at that square. Unfortunately, only few of them had cameras and many of them got arrested or killed. Many of the footage we see right now are from professions who were there, only few images are from protesters at the scene. However, photos that were taken by the protesters are the most shaking ones. And the next day, they were on the news allover the world. That was the time when internet hasn't developed in the far east.
In other hand, the revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt are fueled by the social media, particular by Facebook. People can get what is happening during the revolution right on the spot. Many people who are participating in the revolution use social media to keep the world updating, and get the truth out there, so we could watch closely and follow every step away.
I can't help but wonder, what if there was internet access to the people in China during the Tiananmen Square incident? Would it be succeed? In the past, we rely on journalists to give us the news and information, and now sometimes the situation is vice versa. Journalists look into blogs, youtube, twitter...etc. and sort out things that could be covered by press. I would say that amateurization is a support to the profession. Journalists' role is more like curators now.
Top picture:
Tiananmen Square massacre
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWP3RMsk5iA&feature=related (some photos are extremely graphic, please do not watch during meal time.)
Tunisia Revolution
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