EOTO: Citizen Journalism

Citizen journalism is when ordinary people, such as you and me, use their iPhones, cameras, and social media to share stories. We can create, report, and share news and information through digital platforms. In today’s world, anyone with a smartphone or internet access can contribute to the news cycle. This offers a firsthand accounts of events, share personal perspectives, and breaking stories in real-time. This has reshaped the role of traditional journalism in altering ways.

There are many pros to citizen journalism. First, it increases access to information. Anyone with a phone can report on events in real-time, from protests to natural disasters. This means information is more immediate and diverse. It doesn’t have to come from a newsroom or a professional journalist. Everyday people now play an active role in the stories we hear.

Second, citizen journalism democratizes the news. In the past, traditional media outlets have had control over what stories got told. Now, anyone can share their perspective, ensuring that the voices of marginalized communities and underreported issues are brought to light. Even if you're a young activist or someone from a small town, you now have the means and tools to put your story into the world.

Third, it allows for faster reporting. When breaking news happens, we don’t have to wait for hours for reporters to show up. Ordinary citizens on the scene can capture videos or share updates instantly. Whether it's a protest, a traffic accident, or a political event, we can get live updates directly from those witnessing it.

Lastly, citizen journalism holds news outlets, public figures, and institutions accountable. We’ve seen numerous examples of people documenting instances of police brutality, corruption, and other injustices. Without these citizen reporters, many stories may have stayed hidden or been ignored.

There can be some cons as well. With the power and freedom to share basically anything comes the risk of misinformation. Since anyone can post, there’s little regulation, and it’s sometimes difficult to separate fact from fiction. False stories or misleading information can spread just as quickly as the truth which may cause confusion and harm. There’s also the challenge of privacy. Citizen journalists often capture footage of people without their consent, raising ethical concerns about the right to privacy versus the need to inform the public. 

This can affect different groups in society all very differently. For the rich and those with access to technology, citizen journalism is a tool for empowerment. It can help them stay informed, share their opinions, and even influence public policy. But for the poor, access to the technology is sometimes limited which can cause them to be in the dark and voiceless in digital platforms. 

When it comes to age, younger generations are often better navigating the digital world. Therefore, they’re more likely to engage in citizen journalism. Older generations may struggle to adapt to this new form of information-sharing. 

Gender and sexual orientation also play a role. For women and LGBTQ+ individuals, citizen journalism provides a platform to highlight issues that mainstream media often neglect. But there is the risk of harassment or abuse online, where these marginalized groups might face greater criticism or attack. Also for minorities, citizen journalism can be an essential tool for raising awareness of social justice issues. It gives them a platform to share stories of discrimination or inequality that might not otherwise make it into mainstream media. But minorities also risk being misrepresented or exploited by the wider media.

For us as students, citizen journalism is a powerful tool. But with this power comes responsibility. We have to be cautious of the information we consume and share. We must make sure that what we share is truthful and respectful. For our generation, it’s clear that we live in a time where we are both the consumers and producers of news. This means we are shaping the future of media, and it’s up to us to use these tools responsibly. It can make information more accessible, diverse, and immediate, but it also comes with significant challenges, like misinformation and privacy concerns. As we move forward, we must learn to balance the benefits with the risks.

Diffusion Theory

The Diffusion of Innovations Theory helps us understand how new ideas, technologies, or products spread across societies. It looks at factors like social systems, and how individuals make decisions regarding adopting new innovations. We can analyze Facebook as an example to analyze through the Diffusion of Innovations Theory.

Facebook offered significant benefits over other communication tools available at the time. It provided a platform for staying connected with friends, sharing life updates, photos, and events. It became an easy, all-in-one communication tool. Facebook aligned with the growing trend of socializing online. Before Facebook, there were platforms like MySpace, but Facebook had better privacy controls, and more tools for sharing and interacting with others. It fit well into people's wants to be more connected in the new online world. Facebook's success spread quickly because early users posted updates and encouraged others to join. As more and more people joined, the platform’s value increased because people wanted to be where others were like many things in life.

The first adopters were college students. Facebook became a cool and new way to stay connected. These early adopters helped spread it fast by introducing it to a wider audience. Early adopters of Facebook saw it as a way to expand their social network, share moments, and keep up with friends. It was also seen as a way to maintain social capital by staying “in the loop". The platform was advertised as a more convenient way to interact with people compared to older methods, like email or text messages. 

One reason some people didn't jump at using Facebook or still don't use it is due to concerns about privacy. As Facebook became more popular, there were growing concerns about how personal data was being used, shared, and monetized. These issues led many people to avoid Facebook or join later when they felt the platform was more secure. Some people didn’t want to take part in what they saw because they felt it diminished real-life interactions. As Facebook grew, other platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, or even TikTok attracted different demographics. People who might have been interested in Facebook's social interaction often chose those alternatives that seemed newer, cooler, or better aligned with their interests.

People may avoid Facebook because of concerns over how your personal data is handled. There have been lots of privacy scandals that have made people question whether it's safe to use Facebook, especially when it comes to sharing personal information. Social media can feel overwhelming, with constant notifications, updates, and pressures to engage. It can take a toll on your mental health because of keeping up with posts, comments, and likes. Some people also avoid Facebook because they see it as a platform where people focus too much on self-presentation rather than authentic, meaningful interactions. 

Ultimately, the decision to use Facebook or not comes down to your personal priorities. If the positive benefits of social connection and access to information outweigh the potential negatives for you, it might make sense to adopt Facebook. But if privacy concerns, time, or mental well-being outweighs the benefit, staying off might be the better option.

Why Don't We Hear More Antiwar Voices in the Mainstream Media?

Why do we need to go out of our way to find antiwar voices online like on Antiwar.com or The American Conservative when there are so many mainstream news outlets? Why do these sites feel weird when their message seems so important?

Antiwar Protests

A lot of the biggest mainstream media outlets are owned by massive corporations that are connected to the defense industry. These companies don’t just sell weapons. They sell the idea that military intervention is necessary for peace. When mainstream media outlets run news about war, they’re not just covering the facts. They are reinforcing the idea that military action is a key part of maintaining global order. Although, antiwar voices tend to expose the uncomfortable reality of these interventions. For example, how they often lead to unnecessary deaths, economic instability, and long-term destruction. These voices don’t always get the spotlight when they challenge the financial interests tied to war as awful as it is. 

The U.S. military is typically portrayed as a force for good. We see images of heroes fighting to protect freedom and democracy. When the media covers a conflict they often say, "this is why we fight" and "this is why it’s justified." There’s an entire United States cultural narrative that we have a moral duty to intervene and get involved. Antiwar voices challenge that narrative. They argue that many of these wars don’t end in the way we’re told they will. Instead of spreading freedom and helping the situation, we end up making a bigger mess and becoming more in debt. For example, like we talking about in class with Israel. We are sending troops and billions of dollars to wars that don't involve us. That’s a huge chunk of money that could be better spent addressing issues in the United States like healthcare, education, and climate change. Or natural disasters like Hurricane Helene in North Carolina or the fires in Pasadena, California.

War also makes for great TV. Explosions, dramatic rescue missions, and even death grab people’s attention. The adrenaline rush of war stories draws in viewers, clicks, and likes. Antiwar perspectives do not. Talking about the long-term costs of war, the human impact, and the consequences of intervention isn’t as interesting as the breaking news of the latest military operation. Unfortunately the media often chooses stories that generate the most excitement in all situations. Antiwar voices aren’t as engaging when the goal is to keep people watching or reading. They ask questions like "Was this war necessary?" or "Who actually benefits from this?" These ideas tend to get less airtime because they don’t fit into the narrative of immediate action and victory.

The internet has changed everything. Where once there were just a few big news networks that everyone watched, now there are thousands of independent platforms, blogs, and podcasts giving people alternative perspectives. Antiwar.com and The American Conservative are places where people who are fed up with the mainstream narrative can go for more in-depth analysis and critique. Since these outlets aren’t part of the mainstream media ecosystem, they don’t have the same visibility. Mainstream news outlets are easy to access and typically provide stories that support the status quo. If you don’t actively look for other viewpoints, you’re more likely to get the same type of coverage that doesn’t challenge the idea that military force is the best way to handle global problems.

Privacy

The definition of privacy from Google is "the state of being free from being observed or disrupted by other people". Privacy has been a growing concern in our society as more and more technologies arise and more concerns are becoming present. I have never really thought about privacy as an issue until concerns about privacy relating to my phone and social media arose. Like many other college students, I love taking photos, videos, and posting them online for friends and family to see. But who is really seeing these posts? Even though we think we are taking precautions like being safe online and making our accounts private, the internet is smarter than us.

The first video is an introduction to online privacy. Juan Enriquez compares our active lives on social media to that of a tattoo. He goes in depth to say that social media and our online posts are our a "electronic tattoo". Social media sites such as Facebook, X, TikTok and Instagram all use facial recognition. Much like tattoos, what you post on social media is permanent and while it can be removed, it isn't forgotten as it can be shared to other sites you might be unaware of. For example, the most startling part of the video was when Enriquez introduces the website "Face.Com". This is a website your face is probably on! This website was sold to Facebook in 2018 with more than 18 billon photo images of just peoples faces worldwide. I thought the extent of my privacy being invaded or taking my data was that social media companies track your data due to ads and what group of people they are targeted to but I didn't know how intense it was. 

The second video is hosted by Christopher Soghoian. He explains the concern of wiretapping and surveillance through communication such as phone calls, texts and emails. I researched and talked about this previously when I was focusing on the telephone and it's impacts. Soghoian mentions the use of wiretapping for surveillance within products through telephone companies specifically for government use. These can be tapped by other governments and intelligence agencies as well as anyone who has the capabilities. This is so scary and alarming to me because it makes me think someone can know everything about me. This also can create issues like stalkers listening in on a phone call whether it be the government or a regular person which creates physical safety issues. This also makes me question if data like my medical history or credit card information in websites is safe. Luckily, their has been an increase in protection in surveillance issues through the iPhone. Companies like Apple are getting better at programming their systems to make it more difficult to tap in. 

We all think to limit and censor what information we voluntarily put onto the internet. We know not to post things like our phone number, address, and family information. But it is vital to consider what personal information is on the internet without us sharing it or knowing about it. For example, what other people are posting about you, your employers, or your school. The rise of technology is incredibly useful but it may be getting too alarming and worrisome. 

EOTO Reaction: Carrier Pigeons

The most interesting technology I learned about during the EOTO presentations was the carrier pigeons. Josiah presented on this topic and the history was so interesting, I wanted to learn more. At first I didn't believe carrier pigeons were real. I thought they were a made-up TV animation. I was proven wrong and real carrier pigeons date back to 2000 BC. Originally know as Homing Pigeons, they were the main form of long distance communication. As I learned in the presentation, the ancient Mesopotamians and Egyptians first discovered this way of long distance communication. They even grew this technology system to Greece and Rome. The Greeks heavily relied on these birds and their internal compass to fly and deliver important news. Carrier pigeons carried such important information even such as the winners of the Olympic games. Then Rome began utilizing this form of communication shortly after. They relied on the birds to deliver messages to soldiers and share outcomes of battles. 

Carrier pigeons were used for the most important information and were extremely trusted. In this day and age no one would trust a pigeon...The birds' accuracy and consistency made them so trusted as carrier pigeons became the main form of long distance and high speed communication for decades. Their internal compass, which I think is the most impressive skill they have, earned the name “homing pigeon". This was due to their ability to always find their way back home to where they began their journey. These pigeons were trained to by having a home cage after they delivered their message, hence their name.

Like how Carrier pigeons were used in Rome, they made their big impact within warfare. For years, these birds were used to send and deliver messages relating to enemy movements, tactical plans, and general wins or losses. The sent notes back and forth in World War I and World War II. In order to deliver a message, the note was placed into a very small almost "suitcase" that was tied to the bird's foot. These amazing animals were more reliable than a human messenger, due to the fact that they could navigate through any terrain, dangerous battlegrounds, unfamiliar territory, or cross over enemy fire. 

Carrier pigeons were also extremely valuable to scientists. They helped scientists understand more about migration and navigation. They discovered through research and tests that these birds have an impressively sharp memory. This explained why they easily could find their way back home. As well as, scientists discovered that these animals could fly over 60 mph. This made them so valuable because they could cover hundreds of miles in a single trip. These birds have one of the most impressive navigation and location awareness I've ever heard of. 

While in 2000 BC the carrier pigeon was a turning point in communication, this form of communication is completely overthrown by modern technology. Imagine using a carrier pigeon today instead of just sending a quick, instant text (and receiving a quick, instant response). The telegram was the technological development that threatened the use of the carrier pigeon when it was created in the early 19th century. Looking back at these inventions today, they are fascinating but not practical for 2025. Although I imagine the helpfulness of these tools back in the day were viewed the same way that we view our iPhone. 

EOTO: The Telephone

One of the most transformative inventions in history is the telephone. It revolutionized the way we communicate, and its impact is still felt today. While Alexander Graham Bell is most famously credited with its invention in 1876, he was not the only one working on towards this goal. Inventors like Elisha Gray and Antonio Meucci also made significant contributions, though it was Bell’s work that led to the first successful demonstration.

Alexander Graham Bell

Bell was a teacher of the deaf and was motivated to improve communication for people with hearing impairments. His goal was to find a way to transmit the human voice through wires. This had never been done before. After years of research and experimentation, Bell succeeded in making the first phone call on March 10, 1876, famously saying, “Mr. Watson, come here, I want to see you.” Before this, long-distance communication was limited to telegraphs, which could only send written messages in Morse code. If you wanted to communicate with someone far away, you had to rely on slow and often unreliable systems like mail or telegrams.

Bell’s invention solved a massive problem. He solved how to connect people across distances instantly, making communication more personal, faster, and more efficient. It also set up future innovators for even further advancements that would continue to reshape our world in the coming years.

The telephone completely transformed society in many ways. It changed communication, allowing people to communicate in real-time. No matter how far apart you are with someone, you can still communicate with them. This had a really big effect on both personal and professional lives. Businesses could now operate more efficiently with negotiations, customer service, and coordination. Work became faster and more effective. News also traveled quicker, and relationships could be maintained over far distances. This revolutionized the world making it feel smaller and more interconnected. 

Old Version of the Telephone

The telephone didn’t stop at its original large, clunky, wired form. It evolved over the 20th century into mobile phones and eventually smartphones. Today, we even carry mini-computers in our pockets. These devices now are capable of not just voice calls, but also text messaging, video calls, and instant sharing of pictures and information. This also set the groundwork for databases and inventions like social media. The invention of the telephone laid the foundation for the modern internet and the way we interact in today’s digital world. Smartphones have helped find a home for other technologies like cameras and GPS, and have further enhanced how we communicate in ways Bell couldn’t have imagined.

While the telephone has had an overwhelmingly positive impact, it also introduced some negatives. Social impact is one of the most significant. As phones became more widely used, people began to spend less face-to-face time with each other. This led to more distant, less personal interactions which disconnected everyone. Families and communities became more spread out and many began to rely more on digital communication rather than personal connections. As well as a new concern that has come up in the last decade or so is addiction. Teenagers and children have become heavily addicted to their devices and don't know a world without them. It even has its own name "nomophobia", which is the fear of being without a mobile device. 

Additionally, the telephone gave rise to privacy concerns. New concerns like wiretapping, surveillance, and unauthorized recordings. These concerns became more pronounced as phones became more sophisticated and widespread. Another concern and definitely one I worry about is how much we store our amounts of personal information, and the issue around data privacy and security have only intensified in recent years.

Despite these negative aspects, the telephone’s positive influence has far outweighed its drawbacks. It solved the problem of long-distance communication and created a more connected world. Today, we continue to benefit from Bell’s initial breakthrough. This invention changed not just how we communicate, but how we live, work, and interact. The modern world would not be the same without it. From personal conversations to professional collaborations and global connectivity. None of this would have been possible without Alexander Graham Bell’s work.

Eight Values of Free Expression

Out of the Eight Values of Free Expression, the one I found most interesting was Individual Self-Fulfillment and how it connects to today's world. Individual Self-Fulfillment means that “free speech allows people to express themselves, form their own identity, and maybe even find others like them.” I think this idea really fits how teenagers and young adults, like me, use social media especially TikTok. Over the past five years, TikTok has become one of the most popular apps. What started as a place for lip-syncing and dancing has turned into a space where people openly share their achievements, struggles, and personal thoughts. 

TikTok Thumbnail

TikTok lets people express themselves in ways beyond just talking. Some influencers get attention just because of their unique style or look. They get thousands of likes, not only for their appearance but because people admire their confidence in being themselves. When others see someone with the same style or interests, they feel seen and understood. Which in this generation is what everyone wants, to feel seen and understood. This makes it easier for people who might struggle to express themselves in real life to do so online. That’s why I think Individual Self-Fulfillment is especially important for this generation, and one of the most relevant of the Eight Values of Free Expression. Social media in general gives young people so many ways to express themselves, and while TikTok is the most popular, apps like Instagram and Snapchat are also important.

However, I think TikTok can become too personal or “overly expressive.” While I agree that free speech is important, I’ve noticed that some influencers take things too far by sharing very personal content. It doesn’t bother me, but I think younger users might be exposed to stuff they shouldn’t see. Talking about things like sexual situations or relationship problems should stay private. Not everything needs to be shared with the whole internet which relates to the idea of privacy. 

I think Individual Self-Fulfillment really connects with TikTok and social media in general. It’s a space where free speech allows people to share different opinions and personal stories. Even though some content can be too personal, TikTok still helps people learn new things and see life from different perspectives. 

Along with Individual Self-Fulfillment, other values I see in todays world are promoting tolerance, and protecting dissent. These values are all connected by the idea of freedom of speech. These values tie together because they all support people’s right to speak their minds. Individual self-fulfillment is about people expressing themselves and being true to their beliefs, which can lead to actions like protests or posts on social media. Promoting tolerance is about respecting and understanding different viewpoints, even if they disagree with your own. Finally, protecting dissent ensures that those differing opinions are heard without fear or punishment.

A clear example of this was after the Roe v. Wade ruling. Many people shared their anger and frustration on Instagram and TikTok. This kind of expression encouraged others to speak up as well, creating a ripple effect. It lead to protests which is a good thing because it shows people standing up for their rights. For instance, CNN reported large protests outside the White House in response to the ruling.

Roe v. Wade Protesters

A similar scenario happened with the recent TikTok ban. Many people protested and created lots of expression. Banning the app would remove one of the major platforms where people express their opinions, organize protests, and spread information about social issues. During movements like the Roe v. Wade, platforms like TikTok are essential for building momentum and creating visibility, especially when traditional media might not cover these issues in the same way. Banning TikTok could limit a tool that plays a big role in promoting both individual self-fulfillment and protecting dissent. So the TikTok ban might be seen as not just a way to control personal data or political influence, but also a way to limit how people use the platform to protest or challenge the status quo. This shows how social media can help spread ideas, get people involved, and bring attention to important issues. Finally, showing how these values work together to support free expression and social change.