Citizen journalism: a media phenomenon

Citizen journalism emerged within the framework of what is known as new media, as a complex and multifaceted phenomenon resulting from the convergence of successive waves of circumstances and factors related to the tremendous technological advancements in communication. Recently, most Egyptian print and online newspapers have begun establishing new citizen journalism sections to keep pace with these developments and to help citizens interact with the newspaper, as well as benefit from the news and events they witness, especially since most citizens now possess the means to send news to the newspaper in real time. This became evident after newspapers exclusively reported news and events that shook public opinion, all originating from citizens. A special relationship exists between the younger generation and social media platforms and blogs, which are forms of citizen journalism, and this aspect represents an important dimension in the study of this phenomenon. The new communication and media landscape, with its diverse actors and emerging trends, demands further research to monitor it and provide initial indicators. This study is an attractive field for researchers interested in this phenomenon. Therefore, it is essential to conduct further studies on the nature and boundaries of this relationship as a communication and media phenomenon worthy of investigation. The importance of user-generated content-particularly from young people-through citizen journalism is growing. They provide media institutions with a rich source of information and news, which may be produced by individuals or volunteer teams eager to share information, news, events, and images with others. This content helps shape an active and engaged public opinion, transforming users from passive recipients into active participants in shaping events and building the media agenda. It also provides media institutions with numerous eyewitnesses to events, enabling them to diversify their sources of media content.