Tech & Biz

NowPublic Takes Top Spot on User-Generated News Article

by Blue Crush | December 31, 2008 at 10:35 pm

288 views | 61 Recommendations | 10 comments

In an article about citizen journalism on Wednesday, the Canadian Press gave NowPublic top dibs.

"I am no longer going to look at the news because it's something historical and something I want to see," said Leonard Brody, CEO and co-founder of Vancouver based NowPublic, which calls itself a "next-generation wire service."

"It's something I want to see and influence as it's happening."

In NowPublic.com's list of the Top 10 moments in user-generated news for 2008, the Mumbai attacks take the No. 1 spot. The website also cited the role of SMS texting, blogging and the online photo management site Flickr in other news moments on the list.

Mainstream media organizations such as CNN and the BBC are among those using news material from citizens. "Previously averse to using unfiltered information, mainstream news outlets took to using Twitter in their news coverage," NowPublic said in announcing its list.

Brody goes on to say that he believes the news will continue to change in 2009.

NowPublic has 150,000 contributors from around the world posting news, photos and video, said Brody.

The article then discusses interviews with Technology expert Andy Walker, blogger Kathy Shaidle, and the Hamilton Spectator's senior web editor Tom Hogue, all confirming the benefits of user generated news via text, twitter, camera, cellphone, etc.

Carleton University journalism professor Mary McGuire confirmed people who were monitoring Twitter during the Mumbai attacks got more first-hand accounts than what was coming from mainstream media.

It's a "bit of a ridiculous argument" to say information can't be trusted until professional journalists get to the scene, because they can't be everywhere, said McGuire.

The article went on to list NowPublic's 10 most important moments in user-generated news for 2008.

0 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | Digg | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend This comment thread is now closed

RoryKearney

at 01:21 on January 1st, 2009

Way to go Now Public! You have provided a great service. Let's make Now Public the place to go in 2009 to find out what is REALLY going on in the world. Happy New Year to All!

tikun

at 02:57 on January 1st, 2009

Pleased to be a part of the Now Public contributors. I do suggest that something be done about allowing or at least limiting the (not-verified) crowd from being able to share their hatred, racism, and personal attacks at will. Maybe a look at how you are still able to allow those that need to hide their identity to still be able to express their views. If allowing ,not verified, to have the same access as a registered person then it becomes chaotic and already diminishes the seriousness of the discussions and the effectiveness of Now Public. The last thing you need here is another rag site. It will get there if unchecked.

Just me two cents.

Happy New Year Now Public

SOLARLIFE

at 04:28 on January 1st, 2009

Sorry tikun the freedom of expression is the base of Crowd powered news.

You are a new Opinon writer (paid or not paid for Israel war propaganda; you did not answer the question) provoking unbalanced-controlled, non-crowd powered news. We want not be reflected in that hate covered content. We worked to much to bring NP up. The rest of the world, how you may see is more civilized than unilateral isolated reporting for political blogosphere: "We are the greatest, where we are is the Right, follow our opinion". A strange misunderstanding of Democracy that reflects in no way democratic Jewish communities around the world.

generaldecay

at 04:41 on January 1st, 2009

Before this discussion goes any further, I want to remind everyone of the Code of Conduct and NP's policy on personal attacks on other members. Thank you. Alice.

amyjudd

at 08:11 on January 1st, 2009

Thanks generaldecay.

RoryKearney

at 04:51 on January 1st, 2009

Great points tikun! I totally agree.

generaldecay

at 04:21 on January 1st, 2009

Well done, NP.

Tikun, I agree with you about the anon comments. Perhaps (so that this post isn't hijacked) you could start a discussion about the issue of anon comments in the forums? It is likely to receive more attention there, too.