The Impact of Citizen Journalism on Mainstream Media Reporting: A Pakistani Journalists’ Perspective

Abstract

Citizen journalism has been studied in the past and has become a popular trend in the present era. There is a rising concern about the increasing popularity of citizen journalism and its impact on mainstream media reporting. By employing the concept of the "Public Sphere" as a framework for analysis, the research examines how citizen journalism contributes to the democratic process. A convenient sampling method has been used and semi-structured interviews of 10 journalists of the mainstream media were conducted. A thematic analysis procedure has been adopted to draw the findings from the collected data. The research outcomes were evaluated according to the journalists' responses' pertinence to the study's objectives. The study's conclusions addressed its aims and revealed the influence of citizen journalism on mainstream media reporting. The study's practical implications include awareness of the concern for the general audience, citizen journalists and mainstream media. Keywords: citizen journalism, mainstream media reporting, Pakistani journalists