Media UK

Roy Greenslade: Negative concerns about Bild's camera initiative
From Media Guardian. Posted December 5 2008, 10.16am
Is Germany's most popular newspaper, Bild, on to something with its initiative to create reporter-photographers by encouraging readers to buy and use digital cameras? The paper has joined up with the supermarket chain Lidl to sell pocket-sized cameras that can shoot both still pictures and video for just £60. The paper hopes buyers will then upload material to its editors.As Bild's managing editor, Michael Paustian, points out: "We can't cover everything. We think it is an advance for journalism."It will be fascinating to see what readers make of it, especially given Bild's broad journalistic agenda. It does break major political stories, but it also resembles British tabloids in its extensive celebrity coverage. Editors have some idea of what to expect because the paper has been running a lower level citizen journalist scheme since 2006, with readers sending in material by email and text message. Bild spokesman Tobias Fröhlich says the paper has published 9,000 images supplied by readers in the past two years.I'm all for such innovations, of course. They do offer us a window into a future of participatory journalism. And it has been greeted with enthusiasm by several commentators, including Paul Bradshaw here. And I found myself nodding in agreement with him.However, I also think it's important to raise questions about the possible dangers of the instantaneous online "publication" of contributions from an army of camera operators.With the memories of the Mumbai massacres so fresh in our minds, where was concern that citizen reporting could have proved counter-productive, it's fair to ask what drawbacks there can be to Bild's innovation.Could it see a lowering of standards? Will it interfere in some way with professional reporting? Could it lead to invasions of privacy? Could it make hoaxes easier to pull off? Will it encourage fame-hungry miscreants to engage in outrageous - even lethal - crimes? Rather predictably, Eva Werner, a spokeswoman for the German Journalists' Association, attacked the plan. "It poses a threat to quality journalism," she said, "the more images from non-professionals that are pushed on to the market even though professional images are available."I'm not quite certain what she means by that. It sounds like special pleading and protectionism rather than a substantive objection. Anyway, there is merit in Paustian's response. "We're not YouTube," he said. "Every contribution will be viewed, reviewed and journalistically evaluated."And that's the point. of course. It's the relationship between the professionals and the readers that counts. The experienced journalist will be required to check authenticity and to question the provenance of any possibly controversial contribution.Of course, it does depend on there being professionals to do that job. Otherwise I do fear that some of the problems I've raised will become common complaints.GermanyGreenslade on EuropePress & publishingguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2008 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds. (more)

Several US cities will be without newspapers
From Press Gazette. Posted December 5 2008, 9.59am
Several American cities will be without a local paper by 2010. (more)

Dow Jones to launch Japanese site
From Media Guardian. Posted December 5 2008, 9.54am
Wall Street Journal managing editor Robert Thomson has said that Dow Jones expects to launch a Japanese-language website next year. (more)

AMS Readers Invited to Take up Spoof Front Page Offer
From allmediascotland - Spike. Posted December 5 2008, 9.30am
A designer of spoof front newspaper pages - ideal as gifts, such as wedding presents - is offering allmediascotland.com readers a minimum 50 per cent discount on orders. Between now and midnight on Thursday, AMS readers can order a spoof front page from Scooped! - set up a former Scottish Sun... (more)

Editor jailed for defying Castro regime is RSF journalist of the year
From Press Gazette. Posted December 5 2008, 9.11am
A Cuban editor jailed for 20 years by the Castro regime has been named journalist of the year by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). (more)

China pursues state media listing
From Financial Times. Posted December 5 2008, 7.15am
China National Publishing, the state-owned group through which the country controls the import and distribution of foreign media and books, is planning to restructure and list some of its subsidiaries. (more)

Wall Street Journal says advertising recovery has begun
From Press Gazette. Posted December 5 2008, 7.04am
The Wall Street Journal is already beginning to see a recovery in advertising revenues after a 'period of darkness' earlier this year, according to managing editor Robert Thomson. (more)

Media Talk podcast: Project Kangaroo and John Barrowman's indescresion
From Media Guardian. Posted December 5 2008, 7.00am
Matt Wells, Steve Busfield and Jemima Kiss analyse the future of Project Kangaroo. (more)

Cardiff newspaper course tops first NCTJ league table
From Press Gazette. Posted December 5 2008, 6.58am
The postgraduate newspaper course at Cardiff University has been named the best in the country by the industry body that accredits journalism training. (more)

Son's fears after paper publishes hospital document
From Hold the Front Page. Posted December 5 2008, 6.00am
Mirror gives reassurance that details are safe, County Press clarifies no confidence vote – and more resolved complaints from the PCC. (more)

Assistant editor scoops top NCTJ prize
From Hold the Front Page. Posted December 5 2008, 6.00am
South Wales news chief honoured for journalism training contribution. (more)

Editorial cuts at weekly newspaper series
From Hold the Front Page. Posted December 5 2008, 6.00am
Redundancies are being sought at West Mids titles. (more)

UK's first free newspaper editor dies aged 73
From Hold the Front Page. Posted December 5 2008, 6.00am
Tony Mather co-founded the Derby Trader in the 1960s. (more)

Cardiff and Sheffield named as the top colleges
From Hold the Front Page. Posted December 5 2008, 6.00am
NCTJ recognises the best UK colleges for future reporters. (more)

Just because it worked for Oprah..
From Financial Times. Posted December 5 2008, 2.00am
What kind of person would start a magazine in a recession? Someone with a sizeable sense of self? A chunky ego, if you will? Step forward Peaches Geldof and Jamie... (more)