Citizen Journalists Solicited

Boston is celebrating Patriots' Day today, the same way it has for the past 111 years, with the running of the Boston Marathon.  Nearly 24,000 registered entrants will run the 26.2 miles and the usual crowds of spectators will be peppered with citizen journalists, who have been asked by traditional media outlets to submit photos and content for their race-day coverage.

This open solicitation comes on the heels of an announcement that a free daily newspaper will combine newswire stories with local blogs for a hybrid of news coverage.

Traditional media can benefit greatly from the work of citizen journalists, but the question of what standards and laws apply to these amatuer reporters is still being debated.  The recent release of jailed video blogger Josh Wolf thrust the issue into the spotlight and although suggested principles have been developed, the definitive relationship between the two realms is still developing and under constant study.