Citizen Journalism Blog

The two batches of citizen journalists who underwent the Malaysiakini-ICFJ citizen journalism course had a small gathering on 19 December 2009 at LAB Bistro in Batu Feringghi.

Well, I wouldn’t rave about having graduated because it is not really a big deal. We attended several weekend courses, learned video filming, video editing, journalism ethics, script writing and tadaaaa…..we are called citizen journalists.

What is more important to me is the work we produce. Sadly, only a few of us have taken that blind faith leap and began producing videos. Meanwhile some are still waiting for that ‘boom’ to come up with something. Then, there are those who tread in the safe waters of producing either entertainment events or helping some Adun to be their mouthpiece.

I had done videos just using photographs and MP3 recording. So, I really do not see why others won’t just jump in and produce something. No matter how crappy our first job is, there is a story to be told.

On that night, I was just playing around with the huge camera from Shufiyan. I didn’t know he is going to edit and produce a video out of the silly shots Jimmy and I had captured.

But essentially, I think I said something like, “I never really count the number of videos I made but I think it is around 200. I don’t count them because I don’t want that figure to intimidate other CJs.” I am like a freak with a major kiasu competitive streak to produce 200 videos while others are still struggling through. And I also said, “I don’t really care if my videos have made an impact on others.” I usually shoot, make the best of it, and hope that somehow something good will come out of it. I don’t want to keep track because it is like asking for credits. My friend said my character is like ‘fuck and go’ whereby I just do it and move on.