There's been talk about how citizen journalists will change the face of news coverage as media take reports, photos of video clips from non-journalists -- just everyday people. In previous posts here and at MarketingProfs, I've voiced concern about this, fearing slanted, deceptive and inaccurate information may get spread as real news. (I know, we already have that happening sometimes with trained, professional journalists.)
The CBS station in Tampa, WTSP-TV, is moving into a form of citizen journalism, but in a way that seems responsible. The station has announced it is looking for volunteers to fill 20 citizen journalist positions they are creating.
Here's how it works:
* Each citizen journalist will be trained in what's news and how to report a story using a hand-held video camera that station will provide.
* The citizen journalists coordinate with a news producer at the station, who will help put the stories together and also ensure proper journalistic standards are maintained.
As an incentive, the station will pay $20 for each story that gets used on the air or online. After a year, those citizen journalists who've had at least ten stories run per quarter will get to keep the camera and the various accessories that go with it.
Other stations around the country are watching this experiment, since local coverage and community involvement are hot buzzwords in broadcasting these days.
I think it's a promising idea that can benefit the stations and the public. We'll get coverage of truly local news, but done to professional standards.
Comments on the WTSP-TV website generally seem favorable, although there's some skepticism. One commenter said, "It's a decent concept, as long as they don't eliminate actual professional reporters from the streets."
I agree. We'll keep an eye on it.
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