IT is Local Newspaper Week – an annual event highlighting the important campaigning role played by local papers in communities across the UK.

In recent years, The Bolton News has embraced social media and the important role that our readers can play in helping us cover the news.

Here, social media editor, Matthew Taylor, looks at the role ‘citizen journalism’ plays in the modern newsroom.

IN the days of smart phones and tablets, news has become more instant and people caught up in breaking stories are often on the scene before even the emergency services arrive.

By interacting with us via social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, readers have not only helped us share stories more widely among Bolton’s public, but literally helped write our newspaper.

When a story is breaking, readers on the ground can help us clarify facts about unfolding events – supplying pictures, videos and information that we can then vet, check with official sources and edit into a news report.

Reader, Nicola Smith, embodies the spirit of citizen journalism. She has helped us cover the news numerous times –tipping us off about road accidents and fires that often become major breaking news stories.

And she said the freedom of expression enabled by Bolton News’ Facebook page – which has more than doubled in ‘likes’ in the past year - is one of the great attractions of social media.

“I have enjoyed sharing information with you,” said Nicola. “As a Boltonian I still buy the paper every day in support of the Bolton News and its importance to our town.

“I love to see readers’ letters. Being able to share our views on the news past and present and the freedom of speech entailed in the online chat especially are matters I feel passionate about.”

Becoming a citizen journalist can also lead to career progression.

Interacting with us via Facebook lets those interested in journalistic career get a feel of what information a newspaper needs and the way we package a news report.

Reader, Neil Webster, is pursuing a career in photography and has supplied the Bolton News and its sister title the Bury Times with important pictures to help us illustrate stories – including of armed robberies and moorland fires.

He said: “I do like to send pictures in to our local newspaper as I am from Ramsbottom family and friends like to see pictures I have taken and to get some recognition for the hard work I have put in.

“By showing my pictures in local news feeds, maybe it could lead to progressing my photography to another level. The Facebook page is great, easy to access and is full of local news and events.

“And it's also great to show the local community great images of events, local areas of beauty and news worthy pictures.”

Stories generated by readers’ pictures, including our World Book Day gallery, are among our most popular of the year.

And we’re currently looking for sixth formers and college leavers to get in touch with their prom pictures to help us create a special supplement.

Citizen journalists are part of the community. With their ears to the ground they’re helping us shape a newsroom of the future – hard working professional journalists supported by the readers they serve: a paper that’s for the people and by the people.

So why not get involved via email webdesk@theboltonnews.co.uk, Facebook at facebook.com/theboltonnews and Twitter @TheBoltonNews