This is citizen journalism at its finest: This is citizen journalism at its finest:

YouTube and the public sphereYouTube and the public sphere

Matthew LoweMatthew Lowe

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OverviewOverview

Antony and Thomas based their analysis on the Youtube Antony and Thomas based their analysis on the Youtube comments which were left on uploads of the Oscar comments which were left on uploads of the Oscar Grace kill footage. Grace kill footage.

The following is an approximation of the different public The following is an approximation of the different public opinions which prevalent among the findings.opinions which prevalent among the findings.

Group AGroup A

Citizen Journalism allows the highlighting of Citizen Journalism allows the highlighting of certain injustices which are not in the interest of certain injustices which are not in the interest of governments or elitist media to broadcast, .i.e. governments or elitist media to broadcast, .i.e. police brutality, high-end corruption, etc.police brutality, high-end corruption, etc.

Group BGroup B

As in the case of Oscar Grant, amateur footage is often As in the case of Oscar Grant, amateur footage is often of questionable validity, and caution, or neutrality, should of questionable validity, and caution, or neutrality, should be exercised when extolling or condemning people be exercised when extolling or condemning people

based on such evidence.based on such evidence.

Group CGroup C

Citizen Journalism is endemic of apathy and Citizen Journalism is endemic of apathy and desensitization; certain people are appalled that desensitization; certain people are appalled that such acts could be filmed and walked away from such acts could be filmed and walked away from like tourists attractions without the impulse to like tourists attractions without the impulse to interfere.interfere.

Group DGroup D

There are instances where to become involved There are instances where to become involved is to risk more people being hurt; therefore, non is to risk more people being hurt; therefore, non involvement is preferred, and documentation of involvement is preferred, and documentation of such instances at least salvages proof of an such instances at least salvages proof of an injustice committed.injustice committed.

Group EGroup E

The response to documented injustice The response to documented injustice should be severe, militant action on the should be severe, militant action on the part of the people.part of the people.

Does it really help anyway? Does it really help anyway? Rodney King.Rodney King.

“Yo, S’up, dawg? This is graphic shit, ya’all! ”-Rodney King

http://youtu.be/tjXqSEcIDrQhttp://youtu.be/tjXqSEcIDrQ

‘‘Rodney King’ OutcomeRodney King’ Outcome

The police who attacked Rodney King The police who attacked Rodney King were acquitted.were acquitted.

As a result of their acquittal, riots in L.A As a result of their acquittal, riots in L.A bore 53 deaths.bore 53 deaths.

Social Media Censorship and Current Social Media Censorship and Current ControversiesControversies

Antony and Thomas contend that ideologically –Antony and Thomas contend that ideologically –that is, in the interest of free expression- vitriolic that is, in the interest of free expression- vitriolic and injurious online commentary should not be and injurious online commentary should not be discounted or disallowed.discounted or disallowed.

Recent media examples such as TV host Recent media examples such as TV host Charlotte Dawson and footballer Robbie Farrah Charlotte Dawson and footballer Robbie Farrah have cried fowl when their Twitter accounts ran have cried fowl when their Twitter accounts ran amuck.amuck.

‘‘Robbie Farrah’ or ‘Pardon Me, Robbie Farrah’ or ‘Pardon Me, but your hands are on my but your hands are on my penis!’penis!’

“Trolls! Trolls everywhere!” -Charlotte Dawson

ConclusionsConclusions

Social media and citizen journalism are Social media and citizen journalism are pupating formations which must continue pupating formations which must continue to be studied and refined as they grow. to be studied and refined as they grow. The myriad response to social media The myriad response to social media events and citizen journalism indicates the events and citizen journalism indicates the fractal nature of society and the public fractal nature of society and the public sphere.sphere.

DiscussionDiscussion

Could cases like Oscar Grant and Rodney King have been prevented if Could cases like Oscar Grant and Rodney King have been prevented if people intervened instead of filming? What are the perceived pros and cons people intervened instead of filming? What are the perceived pros and cons of intervening?of intervening?

What are the racial implications of the Grant and King attacks? Were the What are the racial implications of the Grant and King attacks? Were the white police suffering from penis-envy as exacerbated by black racial white police suffering from penis-envy as exacerbated by black racial stereotypes?stereotypes?

Filming the event cannot change the fact that Oscar Grant is dead. Nor will Filming the event cannot change the fact that Oscar Grant is dead. Nor will it help the next person who is subject to police violence. Does this suggest it help the next person who is subject to police violence. Does this suggest an innate futility in citizen documentation?an innate futility in citizen documentation?

The Zegg ‘Free Love’ commune in Germany objected to the filming of their The Zegg ‘Free Love’ commune in Germany objected to the filming of their ‘oil’ ceremony on the basis that having it widely viewed would somehow ‘oil’ ceremony on the basis that having it widely viewed would somehow lessen its basic impact. Apply this idea to filmed citizen violence: does lessen its basic impact. Apply this idea to filmed citizen violence: does posting it on Youtube simply desensitize people further and lessen basic posting it on Youtube simply desensitize people further and lessen basic compassion?compassion?