Hello fellow citizen media students,

As you might know, I am very new to the Blogosphere and really had no clue what it was all about until this course began. After surfing the net to explore other blogs and get a hang of what all this is really about- I realized that it really is quite simple. After reading up on a few blogs and being aware of the forms of citizen media available to us, I began to hear about blogs everywhere. I suppose it was just a matter realizing what was out there. I am an avid CNN watcher and recently heard Larry King promoting his blog which is now one of my favorite sources of news. I don't know whether to consider this citizen media because Im almost positive that Larry King is some sort of professional, whether simply a reporter or a journalist as well.
I have recently learned that participatory media opens a new window into the manner in which people receive and interact with their media source.

After reading Henry Jenkins articles, I began to learn more about the significant role which participatory media has the potential to play in our societies. The ways in which we interact with our media allows us to play leading roles in our democratic system. Although media ownership affects the news and other sources of information- we still have the ability to think and act critically to help ensure and maintain a balanced, bias news outlet- citizen media. Blogging allows us to work along side eachother, creating dialogue while learning more about politics, new stories and sharing personal stories. I have learned that the posibilties while blogging are vast. It did not take me long to begin finding blog which were of great interest to me and begin to participate.

I am very happy with my decision to join this course, I feel as if this is only the beginning but I have already aquired so much useful information with which there are no boundaries. I am excited to continue to blog and post more useful information about citizen media, as well as to read all your blogs. It is refreashing to be able to interact with consumer generated media, social media is an entirely new way of getting facts- but also acknowledging new ideas and ways of looking at current events and large scale issues. This was just a quick introduction post, I look forward to blogging with you all very soon!
MS86