Citizen Journalism as Conceptual Practice

At a time where ‘citizen journalism’ is being celebrated, Bolette Blaagaard has written a thoughtfully measured account in the context of its anticolonial commitments in the Virgin Islands under Danish rule. She spells out in nuanced ways the challenges and burdens, but also the power and potential impacts in the reach for freedom and democratic self-rule. Theoretically grounded, well-versed in the colonial archive, and analytically sharp, this is a compelling contribution to our understanding of citizen journalism historically and contemporarily. -- David Theo Goldberg, Director, Humanities Research Institute, University of California
This book provides a radically overdue and rigorous conceptual framework which allows us to think of citizen journalism in fresh and challenging ways. Drawing on postcolonial theory, Citizen Journalism as Conceptual Practice develops an understanding of practices of citizenship as situated, embodied and diverse. It is indispensable reading for anyone interested in the relationship between citizenship and political action. -- Karin Wahl-Jorgensen, Director of Research Development and Environment, School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies at Cardiff University
In this fascinating book, Blaagaard breaks new ground in the theory and research of citizen journalism. Her historical insight into the anti-colonial politics of civic journalism in an African-Caribbean community frees citizen journalism from its current links to digital technology and offers a radical rethinking of the relationship between journalism, citizenship and technology. An original and much-needed contribution to journalism studies.  -- Lilie Chouliaraki, Department of Media and Communications, London School of Economics and Political Science