CNN has launched a Web site, dubbed "CNN Exchange" (http://www.cnn.com/exchange), that is devoted to user-submitted video, audio, text articles and graphics, and that also allows users to interact with news reports, commentaries and polls. "User-generated content has the potential to play a pivotal role in journalism whether it’s online or offline," Mitch Gelman, SVP and executive producer for CNN.com, said in a prepared statement. "With CNN Exchange, we’ve essentially created a one-stop shop for CNN.com users to share their contributions with other Internet users, as well as to weigh in on the day’s most pressing news."
The new site, which CNN says builds on the success of its World Cup Web site, FanZone (note: according to CNN, the latter was "inundated" with content from around the world), includes a spotlight section featuring the best user contributions; an online "toolkit" with tips from CNN producers, correspondents and photographers on creating and submitting stories; a section featuring CNN.com’s various blogs; polls; commentaries; and links to other "citizen journalism" sites. However, the main focus of the site is what CNN is terming "I-Reports," user- generated video shot on cameras, mobile phones and other devices, which the broadcaster says "will enable viewers to tell the world what is happening where they are through the reach of CNN’s television networks and CNN.com." Viewers can submit video for I-Reports either through links located throughout CNN.com, or by emailing ireport@cnn.com. The uploading capability is enabled by software that CNN has licensed from Blip.tv, a New York-based company that specializes in hosting and distributing Web-based TV shows and videoblogs. CNN says that it will review all the viewer-submitted videos and that it plans to use them on multiple platforms, including its linear TV channels.
This article was originally published on August 9, 2006 within the [itvt] newsletter.
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