September
2008
STOMP0
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.
Below: Billboard by CNN encouraging citizen journalism. (http://www.cybersoc.com/2006/03/guest_blogger_r.html)
