Sharing News Has Never Been Easier: A Word About User Generated Content

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News has always been something people shared whether over the dinner table or the water cooler. Today UGC (user-generated content) applications make it easier than ever for people to share what is newsworthy to them online. Instead of being passive consumers of the news, viewers can join the conversation by uploading and submitting images and videos of local community events.

UGC is not a new concept. For example, letters to the editor have been around for quite some time. However, the ease of use, low cost (typically free or free with online registration) and availability of UGC is increasing the amount of citizen journalism content being generated.

Luckily for budding citizen-journalists, these days it’s hard to find a local new organization that isn’t promoting its user-generated content application. With news organizations around the nation suffering financially having thousands of feet on the street potentially shooting the next “it” story there is a lot to get excited about when it comes to UGC.

There are also some concerns … Below is an excerpt of my interview with former WGN radio news director Wes Bleed addressing the topics of UGC, citizen-journalism and the news gathering process. (Note: If you’re viewing this handbook via Scribd.com, click on this link to go to the video on YouTube.)

When news organizations embrace UGC-submitted content, they make users more loyal and encourage users to be more engaged with the Web site. One of the added values of news organizations promoting and highlighting UGC submissions is that it builds brand preference with viewers offline – beyond the airwaves, beyond the broadcast, and beyond a Web site.

Looking to inspire citizen-journalists in your community? Wes Bleed informs citizen journalists of what it takes to make it from the UGC platform to the broadcast. (Note: If you’re reading this handbook via Scribd.com, click here to go directly to the video on YouTube.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_xzdom4zia&feature=player_embedded

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