The 11 Layers of Citizen Journalism By Steve Outing* *Former Senior Editor at the Poynter Institute and current Editor and Publisher columnist, Outing is a self-described “on-line media pioneer” (steveouting.com)

11 Layers of Citizen Journalism 2005 article’s purpose is to suggest ways news executives can implement CJ into their operations. The layers represent a continuum of involvement by the news business to solicit citizen input and collaboration. Starts with relatively “safe” examples and gets progressively more interactive.

2005 article’s purpose is to suggest ways news executives can implement CJ into their operations.

The layers represent a continuum of involvement by the news business to solicit citizen input and collaboration. Starts with relatively “safe” examples and gets progressively more interactive.

11 Layers 1 : Public comments subject to filtering and self-policing 2 : Citizen-written sidebars to news stories, supplemental pictures and other input 3 : “Open Source reporting”: Asking readers for guidance on stories

1 : Public comments subject to filtering and self-policing

2 : Citizen-written sidebars to news stories, supplemental pictures and other input

3 : “Open Source reporting”: Asking readers for guidance on stories

11 Layers 4 : Inviting citizens to blog on newspaper website. These blogs are clearly separated from regular news content 5 : Newsroom citizen “transparency” blogs ( Spokesman-Review ) 6 : Stand-alone citizen-journalism site, edited by site owners

4 : Inviting citizens to blog on newspaper website. These blogs are clearly separated from regular news content

5 : Newsroom citizen “transparency” blogs ( Spokesman-Review )

6 : Stand-alone citizen-journalism site, edited by site owners

11 Layers 7: Stand-alone citizen journalism site, unedited version (anything is published but subject to citizen criticism) 8: Print edition. Citizen-produced free insert in mainstream print edition. No interactivity but potentially more credible than a website. Sounds backwards!

7: Stand-alone citizen journalism site, unedited version (anything is published but subject to citizen criticism)

8: Print edition. Citizen-produced free insert in mainstream print edition. No interactivity but potentially more credible than a website. Sounds backwards!

11 Layers 9: Pro-am hybrid: Entire news organization is a combo of pro and citizen journalism. Still separate areas. Korea’s Ohmynews 10: Integrating citizen and pro journalism. Both types occur side by side on the same page (theoretically possible, not practiced as of 2005)

9: Pro-am hybrid: Entire news organization is a combo of pro and citizen journalism. Still separate areas. Korea’s Ohmynews

10: Integrating citizen and pro journalism. Both types occur side by side on the same page (theoretically possible, not practiced as of 2005)

11 Layers 11: Wikinews . Anyone can write a story, anyone can edit a story. Could be useful to the pros in certain situations like obituaries !

11: Wikinews . Anyone can write a story, anyone can edit a story. Could be useful to the pros in certain situations like obituaries !