The present environment

The number of channels possible through ditital distribution has grown rapidly. The costs of running these have been met by savings made through the introduction of new technolgy. New technology has also made it possible for the public to set up their own TV production and transmission arrangements.

Broadcasters no longer hold a monopoly when it comes to broadcasting and particularly journalism. There have been significant challenges to the authority of the main broadcasters by so called amateurs. Anything the broadcaster does can be and is challenged by the public in blogs and other discussion forums.

There is an increasing appetite for more localised media and the main broadcasters are responding to this by finding ways of offering news, sport, weather and travel information to local audiences.

As a way of meeting some of the huge demand for content, the broadcasters are opening the doors to user generated content and citizen journalism. These partnerships with the public are a way of achieving more immediate and intimate coverage at a very local level. This level and type of coverage could not be possible by conventional means.

If the broadcasters are successful at achieving very localised services, the volumes of material required will be high. If the public responds enthusiastically to this call to participate the role of the broadcaster will be more of curator and quality controller than that of producer.

The task of verifying the integrity of the incoming material by a broadcaster would be labour intensive and require a high level of expertise. This role would not only require the traditional skills of journalism but additional knowledge about issues relating user generated content. Use of UGC is high risk if the sources and  interests of the producer are not fully understood.

So add to this task the huge volume of material required to achieve social, cultural and geographical diversity, we have a resource challenge. (mw)