1. The Rise of Social Media and Its Impact on Mainstream Journalism

2. Traditional Journalism
For most of American history, newspapers dominated the production and dissemination of the news
The flow of information was distributed using a “top down” approach

3. The Role of Gatekeeper
Gatekeeper: “middleman” or mediator from which consumers receive their information
Traditionally occupied by large news corporations and the mainstream media

4. Web 2.0
Includes features and functionality that was not available in the past
Allows communication and networking among Internet users
Some examples of features considered to be part of Web 2.0 are:
-Blogs
-Wikis
-Social networking
-Web applications

5. Citizen Journalism
Outsiders of all kinds can probe more deeply into newsmakers’ businesses and affairs
They can disseminate information more widely and quickly
Current technology makes it easier to gain support from like-minded people
Information can be easily accessed and made almost instantly available via the Internet

6. News Distribution
Social media platforms have helped expedite the flow of information
An increase in citizen journalism has given consumers additional sources to retrieve their news
The mainstream media now shares the role of news distributor with citizen journalists

7. Occupy Wall Street
A protest movement that took place on September 17, 2011, in Zuccotti Park, located in New York City’s Wall Street financial district
Main issues raised were:
Social and economic inequality
Greed
Corruption and the perceived influence of corporations on government

8. Mainstream Media Coverage
Bias in their news coverage
Only began to cover the movement after arrests started taking place
Criticized protesters
Generalized the protest as a “hippie movement”
Little interest in reporting on behalf of the protestors

9. The Underlying Problem
The corporations being protested against, owned many of the large news outlets covering the movement
The mainstream media is bias
It is not in their best interest to fully report the issues brought up in this protest movement

10. Role of Citizen Journalism
Report with an unbiased opinion
Find the true meaning behind the protest
Help the public better understand our financial system
Spread the ideals of the movement to a mass audience
Give the public the ability to view images, videos and interviews not available through the mainstream media

12. Conclusion
The role of “gatekeeper” has changed hands due to social media
The mainstream media now shares the role of news distributor
Consumers have more options to retrieve their news, as well as contribute to it
The public is more empowered to form and shape their own opinions
Lessened dependency on the mainstream media
In the case regarding Occupy Wall Street, social media not only helped organize the movement but was vital in it’s unbiased news coverage
Without the help of social media, Occupy Wall Street would have never received the fair and true attention that it did