While the print and traditional media were continuing to lose touch with race fans, blogs and fan-oriented websites began to pop-up and step in. NASCAR, seeing an opportunity to bring fans closer, announced Tuesday it was forming the "NASCAR Citizen Journalist Media Corps." The decision gives independent websites and blogs a chance to run with the big boys and report from inside the catch fence rather than on the other side of it.
This doesn't mean NASCAR is going to open the gates and let everyone with a URL into the show. Citizen Journalist will be selected based on their professionalism, reporting and overall contribution to the sport and to the fans. If selected, all that was once deemed unavailable and unattainable will be at their disposal come race weekend.
This decision gives sites/blogs such as this a chance to put our hard work and passion out there for others to enjoy on a bigger stage. Unlike the established media, the Citizen Journalist has to work just as hard or harder to get noticed and let their voice be heard. It's this kind of effort and passion that NASCAR couldn't afford to overlook any longer.
As you can imagine the decision did not go over too well with the veterans of the media center. Jim Utter, a columnist and writer for That'sRacin.com and The Charlotte Observer believes the move is more about filling up media centers rather than extending an olive branch to a group once shunned for its legitimacy or lack there of. Jim Utter's been at this a lot longer than most of us and obviously calls it like he sees it; but there is more to this than just filling up the media center on race weekend.
Whether the traditionalist want to accept it or not, the bottom line here is that the media landscape in the sport has changed and brought with it a new and refreshing approach to reporting the news. It's simple; race fans rely more on fan sites and blogs than they do on the media who actually attend the races. NASCAR, being the business savvy group that they are, realized this trend and acted accordingly.
NASCAR relies on its fans and their loyalty more than any other major sport. With the sport in a bit of a stall and lacking new growth, who better to turn to than the fans to help get the sport back where it once was? The drivers and teams may make the cars go 'round, but it's the fans that drive the sport.
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As a journalism teacher, I do have some reservations about opening the doors to those who may not have the integrity to do the job professionally. However, I am also a realist. I know that deep cuts to newsroom budgets has resulted in fewer NASCAR reporters at the racetrack. I hope that NASCAR will fairly evaluate and credential based on the professionalism of those requesting press passes. I also hope that NASCAR will not be like some principals who think censorship is the way to keep opinions in check.
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