Citizen Journalism Blog

We CJs started small. We merely wait for our sifu Maran to give us indication where to go and what to film.

But like all things, it takes initiative on our side to spread our reach. We cannot rely on people to feed us the things to do. We have to go out and search for causes or newsworthy news to shoot.

I mean, if you have taken a 8 days, 8 hours course on video filming, journalism ethics and etc, surely you want to use those skills to produce something, don’t you? Otherwise, why don’t you spend those time sleeping at home, no?

Malaysiakini has printed name cards for us. They also give us CJs a tag. Some of us who are accepted as fellows have a different tag. But a tag is still a tag. Long before they gave us the tag, I made my own. I managed to enter many places using my homemade tag. Of course, you can get kick out if you do that. But usually, I have already made the appointment with the person so it is just a card to satisfy the guards.

So, how do we find the news?

1) Namecard

I left my namecard with people. Usually, they are the communication manager, PR manager, politicians, their assistants, activists and etc. I urge them to keep me inform if they have something they need to publicise. I explained to them that I am focus on religious tolerance, environment and human rights so that they don’t bother me with business matters or such.

2) Newspapers

From the newspapers, we can find many upcoming events, especially from charitable organisations. If those are issues that I am passionate with, I will call up the organiser to get an invitation or arrange an interview.

3) Ball carrying

Hahaha, this may sound so wrong. But politicians have the most news. Be nice to them. Help them to promote their programmes and give them some publicity for works they have done. They will usually be very happy to feed you with more news.

4) Look around

Citizen journalists who are really keen in helping the community can easily look out for news. They are things that happen around us. Injustices, dirty places or neglected individuals all need our help.

5) Time will bring in the fishes

As we go along, more people will get to know us. We have now created quite a name for ourselves. The other day, one CJ from KL, Vijay told me over a phone conversation that when he mentioned my name to some politicians in KL, they immediately recognise it. We CJs have quite a network now. We can always feed each other with issues that CJs in other states can help to cover.

Having said that, there are so many opportunities that most CJs did not just jump in and grab. It is not about who makes the most videos but how passionate we are in helping the people around us. It could just be one single person. But then, it means the whole world to them already so it is worth doing, no matter what.

I spent four hours following a group of about 300 workers, mostly women, single mothers and elderly employees from the court to the state gov. building. One can see it as a time-wasting effort. I see it as my contribution to the society.