Citizen journalism has come to international prominence as it enables ordinary citizens to reach out to wide audiences with a speed and global reach which has never been seen before, giving voice to alternative stories and perspectives.  The rise of such outlets has changed traditional patterns of production and consumption of news, the relationship between professional and non-professional media, the dynamics between the media sphere and communities/societies, and eventually challenges the definition, obligations and legal safeguards of journalists.

The conference aims to bring academics and practitioners from various backgrounds to discuss the social and legal implications of this phenomenon from different geographical and cultural perspectives, in order to address the complex interplay between new technologies, that span their effect at the global level, their impact in various social contexts, and the different legal responses at the national and regional level.

Programme

9.30-10.30 Keynote Speech

Lim Ming Kuok – Assistant Programme Specialist, Communication and Information Sector, UNESCO

10.30-12.30 Citizen Journalism and new technologies: opportunities and challenges for news dissemination in the digital era

Chair: Professor William Dutton, Professor of Internet Studies, Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford

  • Kevin Anderson, Freelance journalist and digital strategist
  • Mike Rispoli, Communications Manager, Privacy International
  • Solana Larsen, Managing Editor, Global Voices

12.30-13.30 Lunch

13.30-15.30 The social contexts of citizen journalism: the place for individual news disseminators within societies and communities

Chair: Iginio Gagliardone, Research Fellow, PCMLP, University of Oxford

  • Libby Powell, Co-founder and CEO, Radar
  • Kristin Skare Orgeret, Professor, Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences
  • Solana Larsen, Managing Editor, Global Voices

15.30-16.00 Coffee Break

16.00-18.00 Citizen journalism between rights and responsibilities: towards new legal and ethical standards?

Chair: Jacob Rowbottom, Fellow in Law, University of Oxford

  • Tarlach McGonagle, Senior Researcher, University of Amsterdam
  • Judith Townend, Freelance journalist and Ph.D. candidate, City University London
  • Jim Boumelha, President, International Federation of Journalists
  • Peter Noorlander, Chief Executive, Media Legal Defence Initiative

All are welcome to attend. In order to reserve a place, please contact: louise.scott@csls.ox.ac.uk.