PressEthic

Since the advent of the internet there has been buzz about incorporating user created content with traditionally produced media. Some outlets, like BBC News, feature entire galleries of photos taken exclusively by readers. In the field of journalism, it's commonly suggested that video and other interactive content on websites will lead the way out of print and into online. According to the New York Times, Reuters and Yahoo have taken a major step towards integrating the work of citizen journalists with that of professionals. This way, anyone with a camera phone is a potential stringer.

“People don’t say, ‘I want to see user-generated content,’ ” said Lloyd Braun, who runs Yahoo’s media group. “They want to see Michael Richards in the club. If that happens to be from a cellphone, they are happy with a cellphone. If it’s from a professional photographer, they are happy for that, too.”

Apparently, amatuer photographers or videographers will be paid for the exclusive rights to use their work, but they will recieve less than a professional. This seems like a logical next step on the path of convergence. It seems like this is not a discussion about a new, journalistic YouTube, but rather, making the status quo into official policy by publicly condoning the use of, say, the Michael Richards video or footage of the UCLA tasering.

A Huffington Post roundup of the news adds that the inclusion of cell phones works both ways.

Comedy Central has announced plans to air a political parody show produced by wireless carrier Amp'd Mobile, signifying the first time that a U.S. network will broadcast a show originally produced for cellphones.