User Generated Content (UGC) is a great aspect of new media and also much needed – the audience (or ‘punters’) want to be involved. They enjoy seeing their pictures making a valuable contribution to news organisations.
Deuze says “Organisations call on audiences to reconstitute themselves as journalists”.
But is actively seeking and using UGC taking a short cut? Is it a form of cheating or taking the easy path?
I think UGC is fair game. Often when a major story breaks, particularly disaster stories, UGC forms a large part of initial reports. Punters choose to be involved and waive any financial rights or otherwise when they accept the terms and conditions.
While organisations are happy to take UGC, they have to be wary of UGC traps.
Verification is absolutely vital because reputations and credibility are at stake. The notion of UGC is that anyone can send a picture in and claim it as ‘news’. It is important these pictures are verified because if you post it on the website and claim it as the truth, you’re taking the rapt for it. You take the good and the bad.
No one knows that Tom Smith fabricated a photo or if it was snapped ten years ago – but they will know if your credible news organisation failed to check this first.
Thanks for reading,
Andrew
References
Deuze, M. (2009). The people formerly known as the Employers. Journalism, Vol. 10, issue 3, pp. 315–318. Available online http://jou.sagepub.com.ezp01.library.qut.edu.au/cgi/reprint/10/3/315?rss=1 (Accessed April 13, 2010).
Ryan, R. (2010). KCB201: New Media 1: Information and Knowledge: Week 8 lecture. Available online: http://blackboard.qut.edu.au/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_60765_1%26url%3D (Accessed April 13, 2010).
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