CITIZEN JOURNALISM is recognised today as one of the latest movements in community Journalism. It is journalism of the people and for the people. In other words, anyone can write especially on matters affecting community lives. At the same time one can also discuss issues of art and culture, write nostalgic pieces and also report on everyday happenings. One can also write on books and films as well as analyse reports in newspapers. It gives a broad scope to people who possess writing skills and who would like to share urgently their concerns affecting society, address problems of the common man and fish out a story about what is happening in and around one's surroundings.

The IGNOU Institute For Vocational Education & Training (IIVET), based in Shillong has started a three month appreciation course on Citizen Journalism covering the basic issues mentioned above as well as emphasising on the fact that new technologies and the new media are also harbingers for social change through the power of writing. In fact, social networking sites can also be a tool, an effective one for Citizen Journalism. The course is a non credit one and by the end of the third month a learner has to write a project work of minimum 1,500 words based on real experience reporting.

The course material is written in such a way as to posit hypothetical websites in the North East context showing that these are or could be sites for Citizen Journalism. The study material can be down loaded as free source material on IGNOU website or in the Wiki Link of the IGNOU Vedyadhara Portal. This is perhaps the first time a university has started an academic programme on Citizen Journalism.