On websites, blogs and social media, there’s a lot of news being reported by people who aren’t news professionals. Armed with smartphones and drones, these citizen journalists are leapfrogging mainstream media at crime scenes, disasters and other events.

But for the most part, citizen journalists aren’t trained newsgatherers. So what about ethics, fairness, privacy and fact-based reporting?

The Society of Professional Journalists’ Colorado Pro Chapter invites you to join us as an expert panel discusses citizen journalism and how it differs from professional reporting.

Chapter members and non-members are invited, although we’d love you to join us. Find out how here.

Moderator: Patrick Ferrucci, chair and professor of journalism, University of Colorado Boulder.

Panelists:

• Vince Bzdek, executive editor, The Gazette of Colorado Springs, Denver Gazette and Colorado Politics.
• Jacob Richards, a citizen journalist and editor of The Revolutionist, an anti-capitalism paper in Western Colorado.
• Vanessa Otero, founder of Ad Fontes Media and the Media Bias Chart, who has talked about the idea of a certification program for independent journalists.
• Chaim Goldman, who formed the Peak News Educational Foundation, which recruits and trains volunteer citizen journalists.

When: Tuesday, September 30, at 6:30 p.m.

Where: The Denver Press Club, 1330 Glenarm Place. Metered parking is on the street, a pay lot is next door, and the free RTD 16^th Street shuttle is two blocks away.

Admission: Free, but please email Doug Bell at dgoal@aol.com to say you’re coming so we have a headcount. Also email Doug with any questions.

---

ALSO ON THE SPJ COLORADO CALENDAR:

On October 14, a Book Talk offers a bird’s-eye view of the battle for Twitter’s soul from author Kurt Wagner. Details here.

STAY IN TOUCH WITH SPJ COLORADO: Online, Facebook, LinkedIn, Bluesky.