The combination of media-creating HTC Android camera phones and other smartphone devices with a world increasingly witnessing newsworthy action on the streets has created an unprecedented scenario where the overwhelming majority of eye-witness footage is coming from members of the public and not professional photojournalists and news camera operators. Indeed, journey to just about any news website and there’s sure to be an easy-to-access place to submit video and photos for potential viewing. It’s an arrangement that pleases those on both sides: financially-burdened news sources looking to cut back on hired hands, and members of the public eager to use technology to instantly provide the rest of the world information that otherwise would take hours to reach the printing press. But for those using Android-powered devices or the iPhone, a new app might make citizen journalism a much more enticing activity to engage in.
Citizenside has existed for sometime now as the social network for over 50,000 amateur and professional photographers, freelance reporters and citizen journalists. Now the news agency/social network wants to encourage more individuals to actively submit newsworthy content primed for publication. They’re doing this via an app for Android phones and the iPhone that will position Citizenside to act as more of a middleman for would-be citizen journalists to submit content to. Those working for the social network will then attempt to sell these videos and images to news organizations. In return, Citizenside tells you they will keep roughly 25% of the purchase price of the media and give you the majority. The act of submitting is free and seamless, which creates all the incentive in the world for smartphone users to snap and send off imagery and footage they think could be sold to a news organization.
But according to users, the promised three-quarters of the selling price is more like between one-half and three-quarters. Still, 65% of the price of a bought picture or video is pretty good considering you aren’t taking the time to submit it to various news organizations. It’s especially good when you think about how much more adept those working for Citizenside likely are when it comes to avoiding being ripped off by big news sites. You could be getting more through Citizenside despite their fee due to the fact that otherwise you’d be most likely forced to haggle in unfamiliar territory, which is certain to leave you the loser.
The true value of something like Citizenside is that it encourages individuals to be more news-minded, even if it’s through the power of the purse. The ease in which individuals can now snap photos or record video and subsequently send them off for possible publication is sure to result in a more updated form of real-time journalism. With that said, the efficiency of this middle man should be more specifically uncovered. Once thousands upon thousands of people are submitting photos and videos through a free app, how will those at Citizenside sort through the clutter? Will it work if it takes twice as long for relevant content to reach news sites?
There’s only one way to find out: download Citizenside for free via the Android Market or iTunes App Store to see if you’re a natural born citizen journalist.
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