On February 13, 2008, CNN officially launched iReport after buying the domain from Rick Schwartz for $750,000 in January (DomainWire). This is CNN’s attempt to bring iReport to YOU and make it easier for users (iReporters) to post videos on what they deem newsworthy. Users are able to post raw footage of events or news stories and are even given the opportunity to have their videos aired on CNN. With this new video technology, iReport users can watch news stories they might not have seen otherwise (since local news is more selective). This new website has been coined the “YouTube for news.”
Internet websites are becoming increasingly user-friendly. With websites such as YouTube, Current.com and iReport, “normal, everyday people” are getting airtime. These websites are giving individuals exposure to the general public and in some instances, they can even build a fan base and achieve celebrity status. Want to know who the next star TV anchor is? Keep checking back to iReport to find out.
Websites such as this post a problem. How credible is their information? One would think since it is affiliated with CNN, it is extremely credible and informative. However, since the site is free, anyone can sign up. I understand CNN’s reasoning for creating this site, but I wouldn’t get my information from it. Can I trust it? Or is someone going to create a false “breaking news” story that generates undeserved buzz across the country?
New websites and technology are developed everyday that enable people to connect and communicate in a unique way. Whether it is online video classified ads, such as RealPeopleRealStuff, or online virtual worlds, the ways people communicate with one another are rapidly changing.
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