The Rise of UGC

1. What is meant by the term 'Citizen Journalist'? 
   Citizen Journalist is a term used when referring to those whom are non professional and analyse and present news in different ways and forms ie on websites, wikipedia and online blogs such as media mcguffin. Using these allow them to share information on different devices like phones, computers, laptops, iPods, tablets and etc.
2. List some of the formats for participation that are now offered by news organisations. forums, comments, blog
3. What is one of the main differences between professionally shot footage and that taken first-hand (UGC)?  One of the main differences between professionally shot footage and that take first hand is the fact that professionally shot footage tends to always be bias in one way or another and portrays a specific point that institutes want the audience to see. However first hand footage will always show the whole story as it isn't edited or cut. 
4. What is a gatekeeper?  One who controls whether someone can access something or not to do with news is known as the gatekeeper. The main gatekeeper when it comes to news is the editor as they select the stories and edit them according to how they want the story to be shown. Therefore they can limit what the audience view and what they don't.
5. How has the role of a gatekeeper changed?  The gatekeepers role has changed over the years as there has been huge changes in new and digital media. Before it was always the professionals, ie the editors who use to dictate and present what was to go on the news. Now with the introduction of social networking sites, such as Facebook, Twitter and Bebo, ordinary people of the world are able to express their own opinions and give the true story of specific things shown bias on the news.
6. What is one of the primary concerns held by journalists over the rise of UGC? One of the main concerns that are held by the journalists due to the rise of user generated content is the fact that there are going to be very less professionals in the news industry as more and more of the news is being controlled and managed by user generated content.