Bus Driver Reading

Hi everyone!

The conflict between old and new media seems to be a major theme in this class. Printed newspapers are slowly becoming obsolete as more interactive internet sources are used for news. As exemplified by the sharing of information about the situation in Iran via Twitter and Flickr, the new "citizen journalists" of this internet age have a considerable amount of influence in news.

While not as serious as the events in Iran, I found an instance similar to that situation in which newspapers depended on a "citizen journalist" for information about a story they would otherwise not have been aware of.

An article in today's Washington Post titled "Bus Driver Who Had Book Is Off Md. Route for Now" said that a bus driver was reading as she drove and was photographed by a citizen riding the bus. According to the article, "The Montgomery investigation was prompted by a 34-year-old Silver Spring woman, who provided Channel 7 with photographs she said she took Friday night on Bus 38." Apparently, the driver was reading the entire time that this woman was on the bus, which was for at least 20 minutes.

Not only is this story scary, but it also further presses upon us the importance of "citizen journalism" in our society. While I understand that we cannot rely on citizens for our news all of the time, I believe they make up a central part of how our news is passed along in this new world shaped by the internet, and cell phones.

What do you think about the increasing reliance on "citizen journalists"?
Also, what do you think the penalty should be for this irresponsible and reckless bus driver if it is confirmed (they are currently investigating it more) that she was in fact reading while driving?

And I just want to say that this blog is awesome- you all have such interesting stories and comments to share!