Now this might seem like a given. After all, we have had consumer-rated news sites like Digg for a few years now. But I am talking about something more than consumers choosing what news articles they find relevant at any given time. I’m talking about tools that empower us to create news in an easy and powerful way.
Earlier this year, CNN launched iReport, a consumer-generated news site that claims to be “Unedited. Unfiltered.” I would have to agree considering that the top story according to Google today read Ketchup assassinated. That was probably a fluke, because most of the top stories have to do with the election.
What is great about iReport is that it turns individual citizens with a camera, time to investigate, time to write, and decent basic reporting skills into actual journalists. But, what about something even easier than that, what about something even more integrated into our everyday lives and common citizens?
Well, look what is going on at election.twitter.com. This is a place where our chatter is becoming news. Yes, it is only reading the dialogue of people using Twitter, and yes, it is only focused on the election, but I think this is the beginning of something big. When I want to find out the newest hot items in the upcoming election, THIS is where I go. The site analyzes the firehouse of constant conversation and looks for instant trends that are peaking. It’s the consumer-generated headlines in an ongoing news story.
Just imagine what this could be if they started creating portals for energy, the economy, foreign policy, disasters, health, fashion… as more and more people use Twitter, we’re not just going to be writing articles anymore, we’re going to be creating the headlines.
Marta Strickland
Comments
Connections
I find this happening, too, with health information. Makes me wonder if it’ll become harder and harder to find credible sources of information.
The problem I see here is the lack of standards and accountability in reporting factual information. It seems like a breeding ground for unfounded opinions with no one to hold individual contributors accountable.
If what trends are showing is true and this is to become the source people go to for information about what is going on in the world, there needs to be some system of accountability.
The problem I see here is the lack of standards and accountability in reporting factual information. It seems like a breeding ground for unfounded opinions with no one to hold individual contributors accountable.
If what trends are showing is true and this is to become the source people go to for information about what is going on in the world, there needs to be some system of accountability.