MSNBC.com launches “First Person”…
MSNBC.com announced this morning the launch of a new tool (which in fact was launched earlier in the month) to allow viewers to submit photos, videos, and stories…
MSNBC.com has launched FirstPerson, a tool for readers to upload their photos, videos and stories. Editors screen and publish user submissions in a unique gallery format, and users can vote for their favorites and view pictures and video by the most popular and editors’ choices.
“Our readers’ voices and experiences add depth and context to the stories we tell every day,” said Jennifer Sizemore, editor in chief of MSNBC.com. “With FirstPerson, we have a one-of-a-kind way for our users to participate in the news and features that are most interesting to them.”
The response to FirstPerson, which launched this month, has been overwhelming. During the “NBC Nightly News” series “Trading Places: Caring for Your Parents,” MSNBC.com users submitted more than 6,000 stories, photos and videos of their experiences caring for their aging parents. See those submissions at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17049721/.
“This release is the first phase in an ongoing investment of surfacing user generated content onto MSNBC.com,” said Travis McElfresh, vice president of technology for MSNBC.com. “Rather than creating just another free-for-all posting site, we have equipped the MSNBC.com editorial team with automated tools and filters so that they can easily and quickly identify offensive or non-relevant content before it is published. Automation and integration with relevance technology will further enhance the FirstPerson experience and allow us to scale to some very interesting scenarios.”Other FirstPerson projects on the site include Oscars look-alikes, Unsung Americana, global travel, super sports fans and more. All can be found at www.firstperson.msnbc.com.
Although a bit of a different approach in its use, CNN beat MSNBC to this a while back - CNN’s called “I-Reports.”
I think it’s a good idea, because people with cell phones with cameras can often capture an image or video of an event that the media is not able to capture.
Comment by FishOil — February 26, 2007 @ 3:05 pm
Jon Stewart did a hilarious bit on it in which he said soliciting citizen media was a great idea because it relived CNN reporters from doing the hard part of their jobs… you know, reporting.
Comment by Caufield — February 26, 2007 @ 4:20 pm
I spent some time in the UK late last year, and their news programming is filled with “text us your views”, and “send in your pictures.” It’s OK when used in moderation, but hearing the views of some nobody is no substitute for actual news and is lazy broadcasting.
Comment by Mr A — February 26, 2007 @ 4:51 pm
Fishoil,
MSNBC may have had something like this that precedes CNN’s I-Report. They had something called “citizen journalist” a while back too. Does anyone know which came first? I thought MSNBC was first but I could be wrong… Not that it really matters anyway…
Comment by The Voice of Reason — February 26, 2007 @ 9:15 pm
VoiceOfReason…I don’t know, you might be right.
Either way, I think it’s a good idea if it is kept in moderation. Having people send in photos and videos is a great idea…..having people do “reports” is a slippery slope.
Comment by FishOil — February 26, 2007 @ 11:25 pm
Humm…I wonder how long till FNC makes this part of their own operations, other than the vaguely located “tips” box that used to be on their homepage.
Comment by Chris — February 27, 2007 @ 1:30 am