Abstract:
The role of citizen journalism in disseminating information has been identified as a major challenge during the Covid-19 pandemic. The problem lies under the ambiguity of information distributed intentionally or unintentionally to mislead the public during the pandemic. Citizen journalism may have blurred the lines between fact and opinion, leading to the inadvertent spread of misleading information (misinformation and disinformation). Given that citizen journalism encompasses distinct functions, this study aimed to analyse the role of citizen journalism in disseminating information during the Covid-19 pandemic in South Africa. The study employed the qualitative approach and conducted interviews on citizen journalists located at the five provinces (Gauteng, Limpopo, Kwa-Zulu Natal, Mpumalanga and Western Cape) of South Africa. An interview guide was used as a tool to collect data from a sample of ten (10) citizen journalists, two (2) from each province. The study employed the theoretical framework by using two theories, namely: Diffusion of Innovation and Participatory Culture Theory. The Diffusion of Innovation Theory gives better understanding of how citizen journalism as a new way of disseminating information during Covid-19 pandemic is adopted. Participatory culture theory explains a culture of how the public as part of citizen journalism participate in creation, dissemination and exchange of Covid-19 information. To expand on this concept, the study had three objectives. The first objective was to explore the role of citizen journalists. The second objective was to evaluate how citizen journalists contributed to the spread of falsified information. Lastly, the study examined the level of misinformation and disinformation disseminated by citizen journalists during the Covid-19 pandemic in South Africa. According to the study’s findings, citizen journalists are aware of the essence of disseminating information during the Covid-19 pandemic. Ultimately, citizen journalism play the role of disseminating information. However, the role it plays influences the spread of falsified information, misinformation and disinformation during the pandemic. They expressed that the production of misleading information is unintentional. However, citizen journalists should be cautious of spreading inaccurate information and only strive to maintain credibility, trust and integrity in reporting.
