I just posted a small piece discussing citizen journalism in Thailand at my George Mason University blog. (Citizen journalism: Do they really understand the situation?)
I raised the issue because so much is made of citizen journalism and the new media.
With a smart phone or a FLIP camera anyone can take dramatic pictures or videos and get published. But journalism is more than just putting up pictures or just describing what is happening. We know it is also putting those images and events into context.
We also know that covering a story — especially one like the demonstrations in Thailand — could put us in harms way.
This is also a concern for Bangkok-based journalists. Gone are the days of the war reporter hanging out in Bangkok between assignments in war zones. Until recently the stories out of Bangkok were financial. Hardly good training for the current situation.
But think about the tourists in Bangkok who are capturing images for sale to a news organization. They not only do not have the training to deal with a combat zone (and are therefore unaware of the very real dangers to them) but they are also not providing context to the image.
The pictures might be interesting but I would really like to know more about why a demonstrator is acting the way she is rather than just how angry/dedicate/worn out she looks.
For more on the press freedom situation in Thailand go to Thai situation dangerous to journalists and media freedom.