We would not be talking about the shooting of Walter Scott except for the smartphone video taken by an anonymous passer-by. This example of citizen journalism  is not easy to watch. Still, it quickly evoked close to  4000 comments at the New York Times.

Most of the posts discussed justice in America. But a few commenters remarked on the courage of the unidentified citizen journalist. That person had just witnessed a police officer shooting a fleeing black man in the back.

https://youtu.be/kXO3Ix_GIyI

As one of the Times’ commenters wrote: “I salute the fearlessness of the bystander who trained his camera on this unfolding tragedy and continued to shoot. Without that footage this case would have never come to light.” Another added: “This is some of the bravest footage ever shot, in some ways rivaling the work of a war correspondent. The individual just witnessed an outright murder of an unarmed man by a law enforcement officer; what was to stop the cop from harming or killing him, too? … This took great courage, hopefully will result in true justice, and the videographer has my respect and thanks.”

We all know that citizen journalism requires preparedness, curiosity, and luck. But this video teaches us that far more important elements are the desire to reveal the truth, and the willing to risk everything to get it.