Come along to the ‘Citizen journalist or citizen agitator?’ research seminar presentation by Rob Bailey from the Centre for Journalism on Wednesday 29 October at 13.00 in G1-04, Gillingham Building, Medway campus.

On 20 February 2014 Medway Council became the first local authority in the UK to give bloggers formal access to public meetings. It offered amateur reporters the fillip of official recognition, and set up a dress rehearsal of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 which guarantees everyone the right to report and film public proceedings. A content analysis of output from the ‘bloggers’ bench’ reveals a fresh and daring approach to local political coverage which challenges the neutral and timid tone of the established media. But it also raises questions about the ability of citizen journalists to provide coverage that is thorough and consistent enough to fulfil a fourth estate role that has been thrust upon them.