Building a network of “Citizen Reporters”
Citizen reporters play a vital role during protests by providing real-time coverage and amplifying the voices of those involved. Here are some key aspects of their contributions:
- Real-Time Updates: Citizen reporters often share live videos, photos, and updates on social media platforms, allowing people to witness events as they unfold. This immediate coverage can bring attention to the protest and highlight instances of protest suppression, police brutality, injustice, or other significant occurrences.
- Amplifying Voices: By documenting and sharing the experiences of protestors, citizen reporters help amplify their voices and ensure that their messages reach a wider audience. This can be particularly important in situations where mainstream media may not be covering the protest extensively.
- Providing Context: Citizen reporters can offer context and background information about the protest, including the reasons behind it, the demands of the protestors, and the overall atmosphere. This helps listeners and viewers understand the significance of the protest and the issues at stake.
- Human Rights Documentation: In regions where press freedom is restricted, citizen reporters play a crucial role in documenting and reporting human rights violations. They often risk their lives to share information about government abuses and protests, ensuring that the world is aware of these injustices.
Email editors@defenddemocracyradio.com or call 888-299-9901 if you'd like to join our team of Citizen Reporters.
Citizen Journalism Training Program
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“Telling the People’s Truth, Defending the People’s Democracy”
OVERVIEW
This training program equips citizen reporters and editors with the tools, ethics, and confidence to tell underreported stories, hold power to account, and amplify voices from their communities. It blends technical skills with a democratic mission: building a participatory media force in defense of truth, justice, and people-powered democracy.
CORE CURRICULUM STRUCTURE (8 Weeks)
Week Module
Focus
1 Why Citizen Journalism? History, purpose, power in participatory democracy
2 Journalism Ethics & Truth-Telling Objectivity, bias, sources, safety, and responsibility
3 Storytelling for Impact Finding, framing, and structuring your story
4 Reporting Techniques Interviews, research, on-the-ground documentation
5 Audio & Video Production Mobile reporting, editing basics, podcast/audio capture
6 Writing & Editing Headlines, clarity, formatting, editing for accuracy and tone
7 Media Law & Safety First Amendment, libel, privacy, protest coverage safety
8 Publishing & Engagement Social media, platforms, submitting stories, editorial review
TRAINING METHODS
- Weekly live Zoom workshops or in-person sessions
- Pre-recorded tutorials (mobile journalism, video editing, interview techniques)
- Peer feedback circles and editor coaching
- Hands-on assignments (field interviews, story drafts)
- “Story Challenge Week” for real-time reporting practice
- Final portfolio project for publication on Defend Democracy Radio
READING LIST & RESOURCES
Foundations & Ethics
- The Elements of Journalism by Bill Kovach & Tom Rosenstiel
- Telling True Stories edited by Mark Kramer
- Democracy Without Journalism? by Victor Pickard
Skills & Practice
- Mobile Journalism Manual (Free by DW Akademie)
- The Reporter’s Notebook – Free PDF from Journalism.co.uk
- Newsroom Ready (Google News Initiative learning center)
Video & Audio
- Sound Reporting: The NPR Guide to Audio Journalism by Jonathan Kern
- Capturing Reality: The Art of Documentary (film)
- Editing Video in DaVinci Resolve or CapCut (free YouTube tutorials)
Civic Engagement & Democracy
- We Do This 'Til We Free Us by Mariame Kaba
- On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder
- Participatory Democracy by Carole Pateman (recommended chapters)
Open Source Platforms & Tools
- Free editing tools: Audacity (audio), CapCut (video), Canva (graphics)
- Mobile journalism apps: Anchor.fm, InShot, Voice Record Pro
- Story mapping: Google My Maps, StoryMapJS
ROLE-SPECIFIC TRACKS
Citizen Reporters
- Field assignments
- Interview training
- Audio & visual documentation
- Social media field reports
Citizen Editors
- Fact-checking basics
- Grammar/style review
- Headline writing
- Audience tone sensitivity
- Ethical oversight (e.g. privacy, trauma-informed storytelling)
ASSESSMENT & CERTIFICATION
- Completion of 6 out of 8 weekly assignments
- Peer-reviewed feature story
- Final field report or podcast/audio segment
- Certificate: Certified Citizen Reporter/Editor – Defend Democracy Radio