the Public Journalist

The amalgamation of the journalists role between a community liaison officer and a medium between actual events and consumers is one that is challenging the profession at present.
As the field expands, we must, in someway, work out how to maintain our positions. Journalists may feel uncertain in their future as the public begin to take a role within the media.
Networks constantly ask viewers for feedback, to contribute photographs, videos and audio as well as any story suggestions they may have.
Although it is fair to question how involved the public should be in journalism, one must champion the true journalist- the developed skills and contextual knowledge of the craft is a result of one who has studied or immersed themselves within the field and this couldn't possibly threatened by citizen journalism.
Siebert argued in the 1960's that journalists are seeing sources from within the community which are often incorrect or have misleading information. We can safely assume that a neighbourhoods willingness to gossip has not necessarily changed in the last 40 to 50 years. Thus the need for trained professionals to identify and research is an overarching necessity for unbiased and accurate news reporting.
The future lies in utilising the public. Rather than purely as an audience- the public must become a part of the process.
As the field evolves there is the greater expectation that the publics view points will be taken into consideration, more so than ever before.
And that is where journalism and journalists must work toward- a co-existence that is mutually beneficial.