Camera Phone Debate

The two articles, The Citizen Reporter as Eye Witness and Disaster Photos: Newsworthy or Irresponsible are about the roles undertaken by people in recording the occurrence of events during a disaster. During a disaster, some people risk their lives taking photos and videos. They also show how the media has accepted this role by using footage and photographs taken by ordinary citizens in such during events. While the first article praises this behavior, the second piece questions whether people should take such actions in overtly dangerous environments.

Disaster Photos: Newsworthy or Irresponsible

This article expresses how people risk their lives when shooting videos and pictures in a disaster. It raises the question as to whether these people should be applauded for capturing images that could help in the investigation of disasters, while at the same time risking their lives and those of others. The article raises concerns that people could be putting themselves at risk, while trying to make history. The main theme is whether people should be allowed to continue capturing images on location at dangerous occurrences, or whether the media should take the initiative to end this behavior by not taking these images from ordinary citizens.

The facts used in this article include the acknowledgement that images captured during disasters could help investigators when carrying out their investigations. There are various illustrations of such scenarios. For instance, an aerospace psychology professor states that there are only two minutes of survivable conditions in a cabin after a spark. Photos from the London attacks taken by survivors were accessed on the internet and broadcasted on television. Another fact is that of the four photos of the Air France Flight 358, which were broadcasted to the public. In this disaster, 309 people survived. The writer uses these facts to support claims about the benefits and limitations of taking pictures during disasters. The writer uses the value of judgment to evaluate the benefits and limitations of taking pictures during disasters. Despite the fact that the pictures would be of benefit in recording history and aiding investigators, the photographers could also be risking their lives and those of others in the process.

Another judgment is the role that the media plays in encouraging people to take pictures under dangerous environment. This is demonstrated particularly in the media accepting and broadcasting such footage. The policy is that the media should first enquire what condition a person was under when taking these pictures, or more importantly, the media should refuse to take these pictures where lives were put at risk. The writer uses the style of comparing and contrasting in supporting the several claims in the article. He gives the advantages and disadvantages of the actions by ordinary citizens to take pictures in a risky environment.

The Citizen Reporter as Eye Witness

This article talks of the role that ordinary citizens play in recording disasters. It expresses that such citizens play a significant role in taking part in the recording of history. It praises the citizen who not only plays their part as an eyewitness, but also takes their time in recording the disaster. The article mainly focuses on a student, Jamal Albarghouti, who recorded the Virginia Tech massacre and how the media were amazed by this action. The writer, Lily Yurianti suggests that the media should appreciate the effort of such citizens in capturing images that journalists were not able to take. Yulianti also expresses that it does not necessary for a professional journalist when recording history, but ordinary citizens can also play the part.

The writer uses various facts to support her opinion. She talks about how the student, Albargouti found himself in that situation and how he recorded the massacre. She explains how the footage reached the media, thereby shedding light on the events occurring in the video. On his way to meet his graduate advisor on campus, Albargouti noticed that something unusual was taking place. He decided to see what was happening by hiding and recording the event through his camera. The writer uses these facts to show how ordinary citizens participate in the recording of history that other journalists would not access. She uses values such as judgment in support of her opinion. She expresses that the media is supportive of actions of ordinary citizens as reporters, by comparing these actions to professional journalism. She claims that through the action of capturing these images, the citizen is helping the media access information that they were previously not able to get.

The media should, therefore, embrace ordinary citizens and their efforts in capturing these images. The writer uses an analytical style to express her opinion. She first gives an example of an incident where a student took footage of a disaster. She describes the conditions under which the student was, and the events that took place in the footage. She then explains the student’s interview with Larry King, a CNN reporter, whereby the student expresses himself on why he took the video. The writer then goes on to explain the role that the student played as a citizen reporter, and how this video helped the media in the coverage of the massacre. By using this style, the writer expresses and supports her opinion.

In conclusion, taking pictures and videos during a disaster has both benefits and disadvantages. The disadvantages are that individuals could be putting their lives and those of others in danger when they make these recordings at the time of a disaster. The benefits are that these recordings could help investigators in carrying out an investigation and in the recording of history. Nevertheless, this should be discouraged to avoid the loss of more lives.

Work Cited

Memmott, Mark. Disaster Photos: Newsworthy or Irresponsible? USA Today, 8 August 2005. Web. 28 June 2012.

Yulianti, Lily. The Citizen Reporter as Eyewitness: Praise for student’s footage of Virginia Tech mass killing. OhmyNews, 18 April 2007. Web. 28 June 2012.