Citizen journalism refers to the act of individuals who are not professional journalists reporting, collecting, analyzing, and/or disseminating news and information. In general, citizen journalism involves the contribution of non-professional citizens to the creation and distribution of news and information, often through digital media platforms.

Here are a few key characteristics that define citizen journalism:

1. Public Participation: Citizen journalism is open to anyone, regardless of their professional background or training in journalism. It allows everyday people to contribute to the news-gathering process.

2. Digital Platforms: Citizen journalism is often enabled by the use of digital media technologies such as social media platforms (e.g., Twitter, Facebook), blogs, online forums, and online news aggregators. These platforms provide accessible and cost-effective means for individuals to share and disseminate information.

3. Independent Reporting: Citizen journalists report on stories independently, without the direct editorial control or organizational support of traditional news media organizations. They can choose the topics they cover and the angles from which they report on events.

4. Collaboration: Citizen journalism sometimes involves collaboration among individuals, groups, and communities to collect, verify, and disseminate information. This can happen through online forums, social media groups, or other collaborative platforms.

5. Local Focus: Citizen journalism often has a strong local focus, with individuals reporting on events, issues, and stories within their own communities. This allows for more diverse and localized news coverage.

6. Diverse Perspectives: Citizen journalists bring diverse perspectives to the news, as they come from a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints. This can challenge the traditional narratives presented by mainstream media outlets.

7. Accuracy and Verification: While citizen journalists are not bound by the same journalistic standards as professional journalists, they often make efforts to ensure accuracy and verify information before sharing it. There can be variation in the level of accuracy and reliability among citizen journalists, however, as they may not have formal journalistic training.

8. Social Impact: Citizen journalism has the potential to influence public opinion, raise awareness about important issues, and even spark social and political change. It can also create accountability by providing alternative perspectives and shining light on stories that might not be covered by traditional media outlets.