Frames in the Grassroots: An Exploratory Study of Citizen Photojournalism in the country as Manifested in GMA7s YouScoop Project
ABSTRACT Bernabe, K.J. (2011). Frames in the Grassroots: an exploratory study of citizen photojournalism in the country as manifested in GMA 7’s YouScoop project, Unpublished Undergraduate Thesis, University of the Philippines, College of Mass Communication.
This thesis evaluates the current state of citizen photojournalism in the country. Photojournalism, even back in its primitive state, has always been an effective way to disseminate information and to shape public opinion. As technology improves and becomes more accessible, the landscape of photojournalism has significantly changed. Nowadays, newsworthy photos come not only from professional photojournalists but from citizens as well. The rise of citizen photojournalism and its potentials are undeniable as exemplified by different projects abroad such as Malaysia’s Malaysiakini Project. To explore how Filipinos engage in citizen photojournalism, this study analyzed 1,646 photos from YouScoop, a citizen journalism project. These photos uploaded from April-August 2010 were examined based on how shots were taken, what elements were included in the frames. As a primary implication, the study reveals under which circumstances YouScoopers choose to participate in this trend. The research found three essential themes of YouScoop photos namely elections, complaints, and untoward incidents. Other photos were uncategorized. Based on the findings, YouScoopers engage in citizen photojournalism to seek help, to urge authorities to take appropriate actions, to warn the public and to seize the chance to earn some bragging rights from the publication or airing of their work.