Blogs were the front runners of a new phenomenon that has swept the world over the last 3 years or so. It now has a name: Web 2.0. Other words used to describe this new approach to online activity include: interactivity, citizen reporting, social networks, folksonomies, wikis, blogs, vlogs, and so on.Major news networks were wuick to jump onto the concept (if not making the most use of the software) and began inviting viewers to send in photos and videos in addition to comments and questions. Pictures of the Boxing Tsunami in Asia, and the London Underground bombings cemented “citizen reporting” as a mainstream phenomenon. But, I wonder if the future will see some further changes. Most people in the world know how valuable those images and videos are to the news media. How long will it be before people stop wanting to send in their reports for free?
I’d suggest that 2007 might see that change. News media will be overwhelmed this year by stupid reports, and underwhelmed by serious and usable ones. And they’ll have to do better than CNN’s iReport, which says that in exchange for sending in your reports, you will get… wait for it… the chance to tell your friends, “I report for CNN”. Wowwww!
Actually, I can’t say it better than Jon Stewart of the Daily Show did. This was originally available at YouTube, but has since been removed – so right click here to download an FLV file of the video (you need an FLV viewer to play it). 6.8Mb download.
Be a Reporter for CNN (or not!)
