Citizen journalism is frequently associated with political activists seeking to challenge society’s established institutions and power relations. In Chapter 14, Salter explores the position of Indymedia’s citizen journalists in relation to libel, security laws, and incitement, drawing on recent examples where both private and state actors have attempted to shut its operations down. Salter argues that citizen journalists cannot simply “claim the rights afforded to journalists,” since the “privilege is dependent upon adherence to the rules” of law. Such activist citizen journalism, it follows, “will always be at a disadvantage compared to mainstream journalism-politically, economically, culturally and legally,” which has important implications for democratic dissent.
Author: Lee Salter