The Guidelines of Ethical Practice for Citizen Journalist in the Era of Social Media

Abstract

        This research entitled “The Guidelines of ethical Practice for Citizen Journalist in the Era of Social Media” has two objectives: (1) to identify details of the guideline using Delphi technique;     (2) to get consensus amongst citizen journalists using  rating scale method and in depth interview if they agree with the guidelines established from the Delphi technique. The research aims to explore the meaning and role of citizen journalists, identify details of the ethical practice guideline, and identify proper regulation for citizen journalists. 

        The research finds there should be 4 elements that constitutes to the meaning of a citizen journalist in Thailand. Firstly, a citizen journalist  may not have to be a professional journalist or have professional journalist training. Secondly, a citizen journalist should generate content through their own experience or knowledge. Thirdly, a citizen journalist should share content to public with social responsibility.Fourth, the citizen journalist should have the ability to use social media or communication technologies. And the significant role of the citizen journalist is the ability to influence the importance placed on topics of the public agenda or agenda setting through the use of media thechnologies. 

        The research also finds there are a total of 37 ethical guidelines which can be categorized into the following 10 groupings: Accuracy, Sources, Copyright, Impartiality, Human Right, Hate Speech, Privacy, Personal Advantage, Media and National security, Media and religion/belief.   The research identified 8 approaches to provide proper regulation for citizen journalists: (1) provide platform for reporting and feedback system (2) promote media literacy (3) build citizen journalist network to share knowledge on ethical guideline (4) self as user is preferred over law regulation (5) set specific guideline for citizen journalists (6) build watchdog and fact checking network (7) education institutions on every level to educate public on media ethics and media literacy (8) government to offer recognition to citizen journalists who follow the ethical code of conduct

        Finally, the survey amongst citizen journalists reveals they strongly agree with the guidelines and the approaches of regulation established from the Delphi technique. And the in depth interview found some citizen journalists are concerned about 4 specific categories ethical guideline  Namely Impartiality, Personal Advantage, Media and National security, Media and religion/belief, as they believe these categories might not be relevant to all situations.