Mathew's comments - Latest Comments in Softbank buys into “citizen journalism”

Re: Softbank buys into “citizen journalism”

Mathew — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 15:30:17 -0000

A fair point, Seth.

Re: Softbank buys into “citizen journalism”

Seth Finkelstein — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 15:00:03 -0000

Hey, â€œunpaid freelancingâ€? works from either direction.

Some people are overjoyed at the prospect of replacing professional journalism with unpaid freelancing.

Some people are appalled at the prospect of replacing professional journalism with unpaid freelancing.

But in either case, I think both are in agreement that the "citizens" do not get paid, and this is the key aspect (I'm not sure I should use the word "feature").

Why is ohmynews the New New Thing? You can almost hear the salivations ("It looks like news, AND WE DON'T HAVE TO PAY THE WRITERS!")

Quote the Wired article: "The pay ranges from nothing to about $16, depending on how a story is ranked by the editors -- "basic," "bonus" or "special." ... If an idea has legs, a citizen reporter will pick it up and report it on their own time and expense."

[Translation: "They do the deveopment for nothing, we give them a few peanuts if it's extra-good"]

Why should anybody be cheering the outsourcing of journalism? Doesn't it seem at least a little bit bothersome as to who is directly in line to benefit? (hint: not "the public" - rather, the media companies).

Re: Softbank buys into “citizen journalism”

Mathew — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 14:42:40 -0000

Thanks, Amy. I totally agree. It will be interesting to see whether OhMyNews manages to be as successful outside of South Korea as it has been inside, and how other services such as Topix.net and Newsvine evolve as well.

Thanks for the comment.

Mathew

Re: Softbank buys into “citizen journalism”

Amy Gahran — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 13:52:55 -0000

Hi, Mathew

I've been fascinated by the emerging phenonmenon of citizen journalism for a while now. And yes, it's a clumsy, inadequate label for something that hasn't yet fully formed.

I pondered exactly this point yesterday in "I, Reporter": "Citizen Journalism as Horseless Carriage"
- http://snipurl.com/mvfh

I do think, however, that "user-generated content" is too generic. The forces driving the growth of citizen journalism are more specific than simply the urge to publish. It's more about a desire and need for people to be more involved directly in creating news, rather than being relegated to a passive "news audience" role.

But a name is a name is a name. Ultimately, it doesn't matter so much what you call it as what you do with it.

As for "unpaid freelancing" (noted by Seth, above), Yes I can understand why some people view citizen journalists in that dismissive light. In particular, I know several professional journalists and editors who are positively incensed by the concept. It is disruptive, and even threatening to some people.

I'd encourage everyone to realize that what we're currently calling "citizen journalism" is still emerging and developing. I think it's too early to say yet exactly what part of the media landscape it will occupy -- although I do think it will stick around.

IMHO, of course

- Amy Gahran
RightConversation.com
Contentious.com
IReporter.org

Re: Softbank buys into “citizen journalism”

Seth Finkelstein — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 03:05:21 -0000

I prefer to call it "unpaid freelancing"