Qotw9: The STOMP to Citizen Journalism Blogging has become such a common thing in this era. Not only we blog about our own lives, but things that are happening around us. It seems so easy for anyone to perform citizen journalism. With a click on your multi-purpose hand phone, pictures or videos can be taken instantly, sometimes without even being noticed by the person whom you are taking.
What is citizen Journalism?
According to the Wikipedia, Citizen Journalism, also known as "participatory journalism," is the act of citizens "playing an active role in the process of collecting, reporting, analyzing and disseminating news and information"
Basically, Journalism came from people and from there it began to flourish. (Citizen Journalism, 2007) With the emergence of the internet and more social networking sites such as web blogs, message boards and Wikis, It is very easy to participate and be part of the citizen journalism. Not only that, we are more well-informed compared to the past. These ’tools have roots in networks that encourage innovation’ (Dan Gilmor, 2004)
The STOMP
In relation to the rise of citizen journalism, Singapore has set up their website, STOMP (Straits Times Online Mobile Print). 
It combines content and activities that are in the print, online and mobile. STOMP delivers content that is interactive which enable Singaporean communities to be bonded by shared interests. According to the STOMP website, the aim is to allow a forum of lively discussions to be formed, whether it is heavy national issues or the daily happenings in our neighborhood. Anybody is able to contribute any news they find interesting and send it over via their mobile phones or send their thoughts over. (STOMP, 2006)
After browsing through the STOMP website, I find the news quite entertaining and close to our daily lives. Different sections are set aside for different interest groups such as the’ foodie groupie’ allowing food lovers like me to know the places that has good food. In addition, Singlish are being used almost anywhere, adding to the local flavor. With the rise of popularity in blogs, there is also a section set aside for star bloggers such as the well known bloggers xiaxue or dawn young. Readers can read their views on the most talked issues in Singapore and leave their comments too.
Main page of STOMP
the Talked-back sections
Really ideal meh?
I think STOMP is quite an ideal form of citizen journalism for Singapore. As I explored the website, almost anything under the sun is being discussed. Readers are free to comment on issues and non-readers are able to contribute news that they find interesting around us. It is a good way for Singaporeans to catch up on news that are unknown in the mainstream news such as the TV news or the newspaper. With the informal presentation of news, readers feel comfortable reading it and contributing news.
However, I realize politics are not really discussed in detail in this website. Most of the news that is presented is mostly juicy and fun news. An extra column for politics will be better for people who like discussing it. As there are still administrators moderating the news contributed for the website, if videos that violate political parties in Singapore are contributed firsthand, there is still a possibility of the website not presenting it. Therefore, I guess there may not a total freedom in the content that is provided.
Other than that, I feel that links of other popular bloggers like Mr. Brown can be added in the website. This allows readers to read up more broadly on different issues other than the fixed topics given to the only six star bloggers.
STOMP is near to the ideal form of citizen journalism. Singaporeans are able to contribute what they find interesting and discuss freely on different matters. However, due to the lack of total freedom, there is still room for improvement for STOMP.
References
“Citizen Journalism” (March 28, 2006) From Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, Retrieved March 28, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizen_journalism
Gillmor, D. “We the Media: Grassroots Journalism by the People, for the People” (July, 2004). Retrieved March 28, 2007 from http://download.nowis.com/index.cfm?phile=WeTheMedia.html&tip
STOMP (2006) From Singapore Press Holdings
Retrieved March 28, 2007 from
http://www.stomp.com.sg/
What is citizen Journalism?
It combines content and activities that are in the print, online and mobile. STOMP delivers content that is interactive which enable Singaporean communities to be bonded by shared interests. According to the STOMP website, the aim is to allow a forum of lively discussions to be formed, whether it is heavy national issues or the daily happenings in our neighborhood. Anybody is able to contribute any news they find interesting and send it over via their mobile phones or send their thoughts over. (STOMP, 2006)
