The other week sitting in Melbourne traffic (worse then going through a painful family gathering), I decided to be constructive with my time and log onto facebook via my mobile phone.
A concept that most would be well accustomed too but for one like me who lacks the techno savvy gene it was quite an achievement. Being so time conscious, I hate not being productive, so I decided to make use of mobile internet. The problem was three weeks later I received a phone bill that I could not comprehend. Where am I going with this?
I am appalled at the cost of mobile internet and therefore understand the underdevelopment of mobile journalists (mojo’s) within Australia. Unlike Europe our internet prices along with the quality is disgraceful.
As stated by Steven Quinn, “In the US the fee for unlimited data is about $70 a month, much the same in Europe, cheaper in Africa.” Australia is yet to develop such a system.
Mobile internet has become a way forward for journalists to provide up to date information ASAP. Reuters one of the main distributors of news equip their journalists with mojo toolkits. NRK (Norway’s national broadcast) also follow along the same line.
We are a society that demand convenience, have zero patience and want accessible but affordable technology.With the release of the iphone, I am surprised the Australian market is yet to provide a suitable mobile internet plan.
Promoting ourselves on facebook, becoming a citizen journalist, and blogging have all become important factors in our lives. The global conversation is open to anyone who wants to speak and listen. Video blogs (vlogs) is just another step forward in communicating and conversing with the rest of the world.
With technology so readily accessible bloggers are now producing high quality video to express their ideas and tell a story. YouTube a website dedicated wholly to video content has become a hit as anyone can post almost anything, even defamatory footage can be found. The website posts anything from serious viewings, to entertainment, to utter garbage that no one else would remotely understand besides the vlogger themselves.
Then there are vlogs like ‘Live in Baghdad’ which are at such a high standard that they imitate professional journalism. Made by locals living in Iraq this powerful piece is truly citizen journalism at its best. Don’t take my word for it, have a look at it yourself and compare.
In previous blogs, I have used examples of citizen journalism from CNN i-reporter, a site which encourages to ‘tell your story like a pro’. The fascinating page offers an iReporter toolkit, providing you with all the information you may need to go out and make your own production. What are you waiting for? Grab your camera and go capture the moment, I just did.
Straits Times online mobile and print (STOMP), an audience content generated news site was launched in June 2006, by Singapore Press Holding, the main media outlet in the country. A year from its debut, STOMP was attracting 7 million page views each month.
STOMP similar to its Korean counterpart OhmyNews relies on CJ to provide written content, images, video and audio. Like OhmyNews, STOMP has editors who overlook the content with the site rejecting any offensive images. STOMP encourages low quality images, to make the online multi-media story raw and not revised and smooth like T.V.
The launch of participation TV on MTV along with Optus has played home to audience generated content here in Australia. The initiative described as a ‘hit’ gives audiences the opportunity to have their 24 seconds of fame. Using mobile phones along with the 3G network, users are advised of the terms and conditions whilst submitting their Vid cast via the automated phone system. Like STOMP, MTV filter through the content rejecting anything that may be seen as offensive, whilst sending an SMS of approval to those whose videos are published.
Although the concept is quite new in Australia, user generated content is well developed in other countries. Liz Tay quotes Frank Lodewick, sales manager for Gravity-a content management service provider, “The main markets that we are looking at are in the U.K., Italy, Holland, France, Singapore and Malaysia. This is the first show that is launched in Australia; in those countries it has been happening for more than a year.”
The technology can potentially grow in Australia with suggestions that it can be applicable to newspapers, magazines, recruiters and even online dating services, who would streamline the first date via the web.
When it comes to user generated content, Singapore has developed way ahead of Australia with the likes of STOMP. We can only wait for the day when it filters into our society and becomes the norm for most citizens.
Not only does this tool come in handy for personal use such as Facebook and MySpace, it also serves great purpose to online reporting. Visuals are great aids for story telling and can attract audience attention. Just take into account the Brownlow medal, for example I visit the story on gossip sites and don’t read the content (does it look like I know anything about AFL). Instead I look at the flash style photo galleries that showcase the nights fashion highlights.
As for my best-friend, she is a different kettle of fish altogether when it comes to news. Just the other day whilst conversing about a meaningful subject, she mentioned the fact that she has her daily intake of news online via photo galleries. Astonished by her actions (as news is not her forte) and jealous at the fact that I had not been introduced I dared to ask about the innovative photo gallery that keeps her up to date with all the world news. I quote, “E! News” was her answer. Stumbling for thought, I wasn’t sure whether it was an E-online news service or if she was actually referring to Entertainment News as a legitimate source for current affairs.
As entertainment news moves to photo galleries, perhaps mainstream will follow in order to attract those who are too lazy or time poor to actually read.
The fun new tool is easy to experiment with and I suggest you all have a go!
