Should citizen journalists have full media access & rights? Nope.

Here's the discussion topic of the week for people in my line of work. A recent inqiury by Pete Prodoehl, a videoblogger, asks the question if citizen journalists should have the same rights and priviliges as mainstream media photogs, video journalists, reporters, etc. That's a very compelling argument.

I'm about as big a proponent of participatory journalism while being in the mainstream as you'll find. I fully support empowering citizens to make their voices heard, and liberating the distribution of their thoughts. This tears down the dominance those of us in the mainstream information business have had over those not in it for decades. But in this case, I'd favor time-tested structure over potential anarchy. Non-MSM types shouldn't be granted press passes, credentials or be allowed to attend most official press conferences. I'm not proud of it, either.

For someone to just show up at a news event and say, "Hey, I'm going to cover this for my blog,", or "I'll be podcasting this event", isn't enough. This is one of the few instances where I'd say the professional training outweighs honest zest for being part of the process of the documentation of human experience. That doesn't make hobbyist or new media types any less passionate about their craft - or any worse at it than MSM reporters - just less accountable. And that's key.

I don't doubt that a blogger who showed up at a press conference would ask any illogical or unresearched questions, or conduct herself in a manner any less formal than me, a professional reporter. I'm just leery about making events that may be public domain open to be covered by any goofball with a cameraphone. Since the President of the United States is a public servant, should anyone wanting to ask him a question at a press event be allowed? Of course not.

If that does prove to be the case and enough people in significant decision-making capacities are in favor of it, sign me up - I'd love to take my cell phone inside the press room at the NBA Finals and create an ad hoc report. And I know at least 100 other people who would be willing, too. See what I mean? There needs to be a managable system of control over who's allowed and who's not. Anything less increases the potential for chaos.

Citizen journalists by their lack of association with an official source lack the breadcrumbs that we in the mainstream have. It's good old fashioned organizational CYA (cover your ass) in full effect. I've said for years that the true power of the the almighty press credential isn't where it can get me into...it's what it can get me out of. Such priviliges makesmy colleagues and I accountable in the event we screw something up, giving the person(s) or organization(s) being covered a source to take action against should we get something wrong. If I offend or misquote and interviewee, or get a story on someone completely wrong, the person has the full right to call my company, chew out my boss, ans demand my termination for being such an idiot. DIY'ers are exempt of such "luxuries".

And that's the delicate balance mass media manages with the people we write about, shoot on video, and capture in images. MSM diehards would argue, complain and make a stink about why their precious press passes separate them from the average citizen, and how they had to go to college for years to learn the craft, and then cut their teeth as an intern before finally "making it". But that's not the real problem. It's not the practice of journalism that's the issue - it's the audience. The masses aren't ready for such empowerment. And it's sad.