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