The rises and rise of UGC

What is meant by the term ‘citizen journalist’?
This is when individuals make the news themselves which has been caused through developments in technologies such as video phones  and therefore highlights the concept of UGC as the consumers (audience) create their own content.

What was one of the first examples of news being generated by ‘ordinary people’?
The first example of news being generated by ordinary people were video cameras. This is also known as citizen journalist, grass root journalists and accidental journalist.

List some of the formats for participation that are now offered by news organisations 

• Message boards

• Chat rooms

• Blogs

• Social networking sites

For example, the natural disaster of the Asian Tsunami 26/12/2004 links to the idea of UGC as most of the footage of events was provided from citizen journalists or accidental journalist which provided a on the stop witness of the events occurring. 

What is one of the main differences between professionally shot footage and that taken first-hand (UGC)?
The main differences between professionally shot footage and the taken first hand is: Professionally shot footage is a on the stop witness of the events occurring such as the Asian Tsunami as it provided as witness account for a world wide audience; whereas, first hand UGC is when the footage provided is raw and uncompromising, therefore it is more hard-hitting and emotive.

What is a gatekeepers
The gatekeepers refers to individuals who control the news such as journalists and editors and therefore they are responsible in deciding what is news worthy 

How has the role of a gatekeeper changed?

The role of a gatekeeper has changed due to UGC which has caused a revolution as the audience have more control in expressing their views on a certain topic. As a result, there would be a fewer amount of trained staff at the news organisations and therefore the small staff with have to manage and process UGC from the citizen journalists; this is also known as crowed sourcing. 

What is one of the primary concerns held by journalists over the rise of UGC?

One of the primary concerns held by journalists over the rise of the UGC is that they believe there will be a decline in  mediators and moderators. This raises concerns as without moderators sites can be overrun by fools and if there will be few jobs for trained journalists.

Key Points from the article

• New technologies mean that the audience are no longer passive as they have more control. This conveys that the audiences have become ‘users’ and as a result of this they have become publishers. This highlights the concept of UGC as they are creating their own content.