Citizen journalists move to broadcasting--with help from some stations

The frightening thing, or maybe threatening is a better word than frightening, about all digital technology and digital information is that is breaks down or eliminates barriers. What took specialist knowledge, tools, or skills to accomplish is now available to those who have a motivation to communicate. Those who have been "gatekeepers" for media and have decided what is news and what isn't were able to do that because while there might have been lots of news and stories out there, the process of publishing either in print or broadcast was difficult and expensive. Small cameras, personal DV equipment, computer non-linear editing, self-publishing software are all available now to many more people than in analog times. The balance between authority and public or expert and novice has to be recalibrated in mass media and it is troublesome as any big change is. Individuals have a lot to lose or gain. Society should be an overall winner at the end of the day. Broadcasting & Cable: The Business of Television: "In Nashville, WKRN is going a step further. The station not only is soliciting video but is also training locals. In July, it hosted 20 area bloggers, including Chenoweth, for a crash course in video production. At the workshop, station photographers gave instruction on basic videography and critiqued the students' work. "