Shot In The Dark: Where Have We Heard This Before?

July 31, 2006

Where Have We Heard This Before?

CNN wants in on "Citizen Journalism":

The cable news network on Tuesday plans to announce it has created a new program to let users send in digital audio and video from breaking news events in their region. Users can e-mail or upload these so-called "I-Reports" directly from CNN's site.

Contributions are vetted by seasoned editors much in the same way all news tips are followed up, Susan Bunda, senior vice president of news at CNN/U.S. said in an interview.

And then, presumably, approved or nixed by the same types of executives that, for example, soft-pedaled stories that hurt their market position and relations with foreign goverments. Or worse.

I wonder which well-paid [*] professional journalists' output will be displaced by this new, dirt-cheap effort?

[*] - Well, at the CNN reporter level, they do start getting paid well, right? I mean, I know being a low-to-mid level journalist pays like fry cooking, but once you get up to the bigs...???

Posted by Mitch at July 31, 2006 06:41 AM | TrackBack

Comments

Mmmm ... it'd be real easy to turn this into a snipe comment ala [redacted by author] given that now you're DEFENDING the MSM against citizen journalism. But while I can't help having some fun with this, I know this is actually an example of nuanced (as opposed to bumper sticker) thinking. It'd be nice, however, to see you defining that line between "bad" MSM and the good that it does - I think that'd be an interesting discussion to get involved in, since the right seems to reflexively bash the MSM while the left bashes FOX and the usual suspects (pundits, talk radio) but that just seems way too simple.

One thing I like is what NPR is doing, creating networks of knowledgable listeners they can tap into for expertise in their particular field. It seems to be working well from what I've casually observed, and really helps move past the golden rolodex syndrome.

So here's my deal: if you're on the left, praise a right-wing news source you respect; if you're on the right, give kudo's to a lefty news source. I'll contribute as ... soon ... as I can ... think ... of ........ one.

Posted by: Bill Haverberg at July 31, 2006 06:49 PM

Years ahead of you, Bill. I've praised the Minnesota Public Radio newsroom in the past, on several occasions.

Posted by: mitch at July 31, 2006 07:15 PM