On August 31, Alaskan resident, Anne Kilkenny, wrote an email her knowledge of Sarah Palin. Within a few days there were over 3,000 results on Google for her email. Once again this proves the power of the Internet as a source of information and affirms the role of the citizen in popular news.

Poynter outlined three factors that contributed to the popularity of Kilkenny's email. First, Palin, who is now a major political figure, is for the most part unknown. Second, Kilkenny's email was critical of Palin, and third the email was based on fact not just opinion.

Kilkenny gave readers and reporters a place to start by forming a well researched image of Palin. She demonstrated the role of being both objective and presenting personal opinion. Most importantly, she acknowledged her own biases.

Acccording to Poynter, Kilkenny represents a huge opportunity for newsrooms, the opportunity to accept contributions from citizen journalists that fit with longstanding journalistic traditions. By doing so newsrooms can "establish a new social contract and breathe new life into the news we all rely on."

Sources: Poynter