Jeff’s Words

Increasingly, the news media is relying on user generated content (UGC) for footage of news events. The July 2005 bombings of London’s transport network was the catalyst for mainstream media such as the BBC adopting UGC to supplement content. Photos taken deep underground of wrecked train carriages remain the only footage available to the media – and that footage was taken by passengers on the trains with their mobiles. Footage was sent immediately to news centres and screened worldwide.

UGC, or “citizen journalism” engages the consumer and seeks their contributions.
The use of citizen journalism is recognition that in the online world people have an unlimited number of sources for their news. Using user generated content provides access to footage which may have gone elsewhere. It also gives an outlet the ‘exclusive’ scoop.

Although UGC provides footage that otherwise may not be seen, it occurs at the expense of traditional journalism. Camera crews may have once captured footage, but are now replaced by video journalists operating as a one man outlet – reporter, cameraman, producer all in one. Rising costs have forced companies to consolidate and bring together online and traditional news desks, and use more content sourced elsewhere – through public contributions.