The aim of the thesis is to explore and interpret the ways homeless people present homelessness and homeless people in media news when they are provided with the opportunity. The qualitative study drawing on semi-structured interviews and purposive sampling based on ETHOS definition intends to reveal potential threats and benefits of such citizen journalism. A such, the thesis may contribute to creating more objective and diverse news about homelessness, as well as to promote empowerment of homeless people through participation. The literature overview discusses citizen and participatory journalism promoted by facilitative and radical roles of media, participation theories with special attention to developing Arnstein’s ladder of participation related to individual and community empowerment, as well as the term power. The European Typology on Homelessness and Housing Exclusion (ETHOS) is then used for definition and explanation of complex issue of homelessness.