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OhmyNews editor and founder Oh Yeon-ho at work in his Seoul office.
© AP Images/Lee Jin-man |
Launched in 2000, the South Korea-based OhmyNews site is considered one of the earliest pioneers in citizen journalism.
Professional journalist Oh Yeon-ho started the site as an experiment in online, participatory media with more than 700 citizen reporters working with him. OhmyNews reached its seventh anniversary in February 2007 with a full-time staff of 65 and more than 60,000 citizen reporters working from 100 other nations.
The success and expansion of OhmyNews started gaining attention from media watchers worldwide in 2002 when South Korea's online community became actively involved in the presidential election and helped influence the outcome.
The global profile of the site and its founder reached a peak in October 2007 when the prestigious Missouri School of Journalism in the United States awarded Oh Yeon-ho its Honor Medal for Distinguished Service in Journalism "in recognition of his pioneering work in engaging citizens as journalists for democracy." The prize has more than a 70-year history, and its recipients include top authors and print and broadcast journalists.
"Today I receive this medal, but the honor does not belong to me," Oh said as he accepted the award at a ceremony in Columbia, Missouri. "It belongs to our 60,000 citizen reporters and to our staff reporters who have joyfully joined this new world of citizen journalism."
Finding success and recognition as an upstart media with unconventional methods is an achievement in itself, but Oh told the Columbia audience he has higher aspirations for what citizen journalism might accomplish. "The goal is not more information; the goal is a happier, more fulfilling life," Oh said, according to OhmyNews coverage of the event.
-- Charlene Porter
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OhmyNews Code of Ethics
Reporters for OhmyNews are expected to adhere to the following code of ethics:
1. The citizen reporter must work in the spirit that "all citizens are reporters" and plainly identify himself as a citizen reporter while covering stories.
2. The citizen reporter does not spread false information. He does not write articles based on groundless assumptions or predictions.
3. The citizen reporter does not use abusive, vulgar, or otherwise offensive language constituting a personal attack.
4. The citizen reporter does not damage the reputation of others by composing articles that infringe on personal privacy.
5. The citizen reporter uses legitimate methods to gather information, and clearly informs his sources of the intention to cover a story.
6. The citizen reporter does not use his position for unjust gain, or otherwise seek personal profit.
7. The citizen reporter does not exaggerate or distort facts on behalf of himself or any organization to which he belongs.
8. The citizen reporter apologizes fully and promptly for coverage that is wrong or otherwise inappropriate.
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The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. government.
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