The mainstream online news media is facing accusations of being slow to respond to citizen journalism.

Critics say it struggles when publishing and promoting independently contributed news-related content via the world wide web.

A new report claims major news websites are struggling to make the most of reader contributions due to factors such as the costs of moderation and the varying quality of user-generated content.

Blogs and wikis in particular were being neglected, while in return readers were not fully engaging with the user-generated content initiatives, according to Neil Thurman, of City University in London.

He argues that the adaptation of established news websites to demand from readers for space to express their views is driven as much by local organisational and technical conditions as it is by any attachment to traditional editorial practices.

He reveals that despite seemingly heavy emphasis on citizen journalism, questions remain about the extent to which users are interested both in participating themselves and viewing other readers’ contributions.

“Popular” debates on the BBC News website’s Have Your Say, for instance, attracted contributions from just 0.05 per cent of the site’s daily unique audience, and one fifth the page views of ‘popular’ news stories.

The research showed that the slow uptake of user-generated content by some editors was due in part to worries over legal liabilities.

He found that most publications insisted on moderation because of concerns over: spelling, grammar and decency; duplication; unbalanced views; and a lack of newsworthiness amongst contributions. These issues had caused some websites to drop user-generated content altogether.

Neil spoke to editors at Timesonline.co.uk, Telegraph.co.uk, the BBC News website, FT.com, Independent.co.uk, Scotsman.com, TheSun.co.uk, and Associated New Media, and gained first-hand insight into the popularity and failings of citizen journalism strands across household name news websites.

Although contributors were found to be avid consumers of their own material, some publications were struggling to commercialise reader contributions due to low participation rates (at the Independent.co.uk) and insularity (at DailyMail.co.uk).

Cost was also an important contingent factor. Reader participation was found to be expensive, mainly because of moderation – 80 per cent of the user-generated content initiatives launched by the publications surveyed for the study were edited or pre-moderated. These costs have not yet been fully off-set by the revenues generated.

Despite this several publications said they intended to expand their provision as time and ability allowed.

Neil said: “The findings have implications for both readers and editors of news websites showing the very practical problems publications face when implementing UGC initiatives.

“By becoming gatekeepers of UGC, editors are on familiar territory and can protect their brand’s value – a key aspect of their job. But it is a delicate balancing act.

“Too much filtering and control could frustrate the supply of UGC – something that is not in the interest of editors or users.”

Comments

Chris (28/02/2008 12:51:20)
I think there is a slight difference between logging onto a mainstream news site such as BBC Have Your Say and voicing an opinion – than actually writing as a citizen journalist. I write for a website called www.the-latest.com and have done an NCTJ!
Mainstream media snub their noses up at it because they know that there are an awful lot of talented people out there not necessarily with a qualification who could do a much better job!