RIO GRANDE — Are you a news hound? Do you love to know what’s going on around your neighborhood? Are you the one who friends call to find out the latest goings on?

Citizen journalists are the wave of the future in the news business, and we here at the Herald are excited about the possibilities of this new wave in journalism.

While we continue to aggressively cover and report the news of Cape May County, and already invite our readers to weigh in on what they read and know through lively debate on our Web site and in our print editions, we want to give readers and residents of the county an even greater opportunity to be the eyes and ears of their communities by being a Herald citizen journalist.

If you can accurately record information, and responsibly tell a brief story; if you have a camera and computer and know how to use them, you might make a good citizen journalist.

What does a citizen journalist do?

First of all, this isn’t a job, although it’s important. It’s more a way to formalize and refine what some people in the community are already doing.

A citizen journalist keeps his or her eyes and ears open to news that is happening in their neck of the woods. They might have a police scanner at home or in their car and keep on top of things like accidents, fires or police stops. They likely have a cell phone with a camera, or else a camera and a computer, that enables them to email photos of newsworthy happenings.

They stop when they see an accident, or a fire in their neighborhood, and take a photograph. They get the basics about what happened, from an official at the scene, or else they note a phone number of individuals to call for a follow up by a Herald reporter. They act responsibly and professionally at all times, with a desire to tell the truth.

Most of all, they have a desire to share information with other Herald readers.

They might even enjoy seeing their names in print.

The Herald is planning to gather together members of the community interested in serving as volunteer, citizen journalists for The Herald, or in learning more about it.

These meetings will introduce what is involved in being a citizen journalist, with topics discussed to include: ethics, reporting/writing basics, camera basics and media law.

To find out more information, call 886-8600, ext. 27 or email savedissian@cmcherald.com.

The workshops will be free. Even if you’re just curious, that’s good; you have the first requirement met of every good journalist. Join us and find out more.

Contact Avedissian at (609) 886-8600 Ext 27 or at: savedissian@cmcherald.com