Being a journalist covering conflict in the twenty-first century means working in a competitive field with many challenges, some of which involve engaging with social media platforms and eyewitnesses to events. writes Lisette Johnston, of City University London. The study explores how journalists network, develop and safeguard relationships with citizen journalists and activists in Syria

The interviews were conducted with journalists across BBC News.

The study finds that relationships with citizen journalists and activists have become more networked and complex over the past five years. For example Twitter is used to find new contacts. These contributors have become trusted sources and journalists must ensure their safety. Putting safety first will enable journalists’ relationships with citizen journalists and activists to have the opportunity to truly flourish, the author concludes.

The article Looking after Ibrahim How journalists network, develop and safeguard relationships with citizen journalists and activists in Syria was published online by Journalism Practice. It is available here.

Picture: eyewitness by Robert Couse-Baker, licence: CC BY 2.0