Although there are a great deal of indications that do point in the direction that some of the traditional journalism will die, Check out Wayne Smallman’s The death of the professional photojournalist?, I believe traditional journalism will survive parallel to the amateur journalist (Work for Yahoo & Reuters Without a Salary).
I have previously thought about how difficult source verification must be, with large amounts of user submitted news material. If you consider the fact that for a site or newspaper to become one of quality and especially trustworthiness, the news has to be true, often meaning several and/or respected sources. The possibility is definitely out there, for a large amount of people to be able to fabricate stories with their camera cell phones. At the moment, since the quality is so low on video and pictures from the phones, it provides even a greater chance to give an incorrect representation of an event. However I believe the quality from cell phones will improve quickly, but I do expect some news hoax in the mean time.
I don’t normally watch much news on TV, but I happened to catch just a glimpse of a story on CNN regarding the changes in the news due to public submitted cell phone pictures and video. (I have not been able to find the story on the net.) However I heard that there is an enormous amount of pictures and videos that are submitted to CNN and similar agencies. Going through it all and finding actual newsworthy material is not always easy. This is why “editorial” services like scoopt.com are a success and will continue to thrive. Scoopt.com allows users to submit pictures, videos or blogs, they then screen it and contact established news agencies willing to pay.
In addition in the CNN report, they discussed that there can be dangers of “sneaking” camera phones with to events and happenings that might initially forbid them.
An example, perhaps not such a good one, of the product and danger can be seen in the recent leakages of Saddam Hussein’s execution, where an already tense situation between the Sunni and Shia muslims will likely only elavate following the rather shocking execution video. CNN has the story: Fallout spreads from the execution video.Another expectation is that PR companies are already or will soon submit cell phone videos or pictures to profile their customers. Back to business and money…
“The possibility is definitely out there, for a large amount of people to be able to fabricate stories with their camera cell phones.”
I’d not actually considered that, but I’m guessing it’s something that’s easily worked out through the systems and checks the news agencies have in place.
For example: news emerges that there’s been a shooting, then the news breaks that it’s some celebrity. Then several similar reports arrive in.
Moments later, the news agency received a section of video from a mobile phone.
These two pieces tie in.
But if only the chunk of video arrives and the telephones are silent, then the alarm bells would surely start ringing.
I don’t envy the news agency that runs with a story based purely on one or even two video clips from a mobile phone…
That is correct, and I am glad you brought it to my attention. I had not really thought this post through completely.
Tips and receiving footage should definitely intersect.
We are dependent on the checks news agencies do have in place. That is why, I am afraid I will have to disagree with people who advocate that Digg is a trustworthy News Agency, base upon what actually receives enough Diggs to come on the front-page.
This is what is so good about Slashdot, they have a well established number of editors to filter some of the information.
Yes, the echo chamber effect is a phenomena whereby any sound (no matter how bad that sound may be) can be amplified across the internet…
Newsvine is also something I am interested in looking a little more into eventually. Since it seems like other companies are seeking to compete with their concept.