The problem with citizen journalism

Citizen journalism seems like a “good thing”.

And there is no doubt that individuals with a mobile phone have changed the way we view the world, and have contributed significantly to the pulling back of curtains to permit a look at nefarious political regimes around the world.

Citizen journalism has also helped greatly in shining light on and exposing law breaking, the shocking treatment of individuals in all types of settings, whistleblowing, and so forth.

But there is a price to pay with the ease of access to a mobile phone and a social media platform.

The price is the small group of individuals who want to spread hate, fear, rumours, xenophobia, conspiracy theories, spite, lies, innuendo, falsehoods and set one part of a society against another.

On balance I think putting up with these knuckle draggers is still a price worth paying.