Citizen Journalism and Editorial Policies: A Case Study of The Trinidad Express Newspaper

 Abstract The study investigates policies regarding the regulation and control of citizens’ content  published by the Trinidad Express Newspaper. A qualitative approach was adopted for the  undertaking of this study, which consisted of eight (8) individual semi-structured interviews  inclusive of editors and journalists/reporters from the traditional newsroom. The study aimed  to answer the following research questions (RQs):  RQ1.What are the steps/procedures taken by traditional journalists/reporters in handling of citizen journalism?  RQ 2. In what ways have the steps/procedures taken influenced the publishing of  citizens’ information? Findings reveal while there are no specific policies geared toward the control of information  shared by citizens, the Newspaper has been controlling the flow of information received from  the public by implementing the official One Caribbean Media (OCM) Statement of Editorial  Principles and Operational Guidelines which inform the work and conduct of those who are  part of the production and delivery of news and other content across varying media platforms. More significantly, the study found the free flow of information by citizens negatively  impacted the traditional print media. Further, the free flow of information on various media  platforms encouraged traditional media (newspapers) to embark on the digitization of  newspapers in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.