CNN’s ‘uncensored’ iReport.com launches
Cory Bergman February 13th, 2008
As promised, CNN has just launched iReport.com in beta, a site dedicated to “unfiltered, uncensored user-powered news.” You can browse submitted content by a variety of filters: most viewed, highest rated, what’s aired on CNN and “newsiest” — a calculation that combines freshness, popularity, activity and ratings. You can also browse the iReporters, which includes a section of “superstars” who consistently submit high-rated and popular content. And if anyone needs any added motivation to submit content, a box in the upper left of the site updates the total number of submitted iReports along with how many have appeared on CNN this month (915). And coming soon: a map mashup of where iReports have been submitted.
So, is this stuff pre-screened? “Don’t kid yourselves,” reads the iReport blog. “This content is not pre-vetted or pre-read by CNN. This is your platform. In some journalisitic circles, this is considered disruptive, even controversial! But we know the news universe is changing.” This is likely the reason why you don’t see a big CNN logo across the top of the site — the brand and site separation allows more flexibility.
All in all, I like the site. CNN has built up quite the following (due to a substantial on-air investment) since it launched iReport a year and a half ago, and this is a natural extension. Keep in mind it’s not a YouTube competitor — this is a different play that’s wrapped around a big-time news brand. By creating a separate site with unedited content, they’re able to scale up submissions to a grander scale while creating an environment to see unedited “news” around the world. And the uncensored element helps draw in an audience. But of course, that’s just my opinion. What do you think…?
4 Comments Add your own
1. Anonymous | February 13th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Maybe they should make some direct appeals to Current TV contributors. It would boost the quality of submissions.
2. oakling | February 13th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
I’m intrigued, and I think it’s interesting that CNN - which doesn’t really have a print outlet - is the one doing this when it’s really the print newspapers that need the sweeping, innovative integration with the internet. But then, CNN has the jump on them as far as understanding online media goes.
3. Amanda E. | February 14th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Word on Fark that iReport may not be “not pre-read by CNN” by people who have submitted content
4. Angela | February 14th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
I know how hard it is for media organizations to relinquish control. The paper I worked for in Florida had a hard time with that as most do, but we are better with it where I am now. I manage GOLO.com, which is the UGC site connected to WRAL.com. The key, is letting these sites take on their own personality while being able to benefit from the legacy and reputation of the news organization. This can be done without “ruining” that reputation, which many traditional media organizations have yet to realize. I applaud CNN for this.
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