« Just in Case Versus Just in Time | Main | Asia Rising »
May 11, 2005
Citizen Journalists
I met for lunch today in Seoul, Korea with Yeon Ho Oh, founder and CEO of OhmyNews, an interactive newspaper that he launched in 2000. I first met Mr. Oh over lunch at the World Economic Forum in Davos and we promised that we would get together at some point in the future.
OhmyNews is a very important news organization in Korea. It played a critical role in the recent Presidential election, mobilizing twenty-somethings to become politically active and to vote. Its primary audience is 20-40 years old. Its business model is quite unique. The paper employs 50 staff reporters and editors PLUS 38,000 citizen reporters (ages 10-71 years). The paper receives 200 stories a day from these volunteers. Much of the professional staff time is spent on editing and fact checking these stories before they are posted. In fact 70% of the stories submitted are accepted for publication. The citizen reporters must be verified through government registration numbers, and then sign onto a strict code of ethics including a promise not to write a story for personal financial gain and to tell the truth in each piece.
OhmyNews has embraced the philosophy that every citizen can be a reporter. Only half of the 38,000 reporters have actually submitted articles. Others act as sources for fellow volunteer reporters or for OhmyNews professional staffers. Mr Oh cited the one of their local reporters spotted the current U.S. ambassador making a secret trip to the site of the early 80s "massacre" of students at the Korean city Kwanju, and covered it exclusively for OhmyNews.
OhmyNews asks each of its citizen reporters whether he or she would like his name, area of interest and location revealed. This allows PR people and companies to send press releases or product samples to the citizen reporters. Mr. Oh believes that the citizen reporters are classic early adopters. Samsung agrees--it has sent 100 tech savvy citizen reporters early versions of an advanced cell phone so that they can review and write about it.
There is also a reader's comment section at the bottom of every article so that further posts are easily attached by interested parties. Reporters, both citizen and OhmyNews staffers, are requested to respond to these comments.
The subjects covered in OhmyNews tend toward politics and social issues, but Mr. Oh tries to offer everyday life stories that signify trends in Korea. A new section on the economy and business is only now offered. Mr. Oh is also encouraging CEOs of large Korean companies to be citizen reporters, telling their stories.
Mr. Oh noted that former Vice President Al Gore has started a company in the US called Current TV which seeks to emulate the citizen reporter model, but in broadcast. Gore claims to have 2,000 citizen reporters submitting stories.
We need to recognize the increasingly dispersed nature of media. Citizen journalists or catalysts who spread information through word of mouth are important new recipients of information. We must seek relationships with these new voices in the global conversation.
Richard
Posted by Edelman at May 11, 2005 8:31 AM
Comments
Richard, great to see this blog as I was there at the meeting with Mr. Oh with you. That meeting made me think what changes would be needed in PR to match the changes of journalism, as it becomes "conversation" as Dan Gilmore said. Traditionally, we emphasized the need and importance of two way communication, but, the PR industry didn't take enough actions in this regard. This is the time for "dialogue/conversation imperative" for PR to build trust and relationship, and catalyst concept is a core one for this imperative.
Posted by: Hoh Kim at May 17, 2005 10:57 AM
People who are willing to spend free-time writing, with no compensation, are also likely to be what you call 'hubs'. Social hubs are the people in society that are the purveyors of information in their local community.
They're your neighbor who likes to talk about, and give their opinion on, the latest events in politics, entertainment, and the economy.
They are considered the most influential people around - more influential than even your local broadcasters. Even though their reach is limited, their credibility is extremely high among their audience.
Posted by: Aaron Adams at May 18, 2005 8:38 AM
And then compare this to the NY Times' decision last to lock their most opinionated, "voice-y" writers -- their op-ed folks -- behind the pay wall. Talk about withdrawing from the conversation!
Posted by: David Weinberger at May 21, 2005 9:06 PM
Hoh
This was the most interesting meeting I had in Asia The concept of citizen journalism shows the emergence of an entirely new system Korea is really the center of this development All the best
Richard
Posted by: Richard Edelman at May 23, 2005 1:08 PM
Aaron,
These catalysts are exactly the people we need to reach They are the new force in communications Note today's piece in NY Times indicating that bloggers are most powerful when there is a "totem" or some other symbol that creates a focus Like the PT boat in Kerry bashing campaign Thanks for writing
Richard
Posted by: Richard Edelman at May 23, 2005 1:10 PM
Hi David
Am back from Asia check out this AM's blog on trip NY Times caught half way across the fence uncomfortable at best
The WS Journal charges for content on line smart or not it is a policy
The NYTimes is driving more of its customers to on line but not getting paid for it enough to drive stock price I think the Times will follow the Journal to a more paid on line model gradual migration We will see
Richard
Posted by: Richard Edelman at May 24, 2005 11:59 AM
Quick note on OhMyMews. It is very easy to sign up and become a citizen journalist. I did it quickly and now I am working on my first story.
On another note. When you start a blog like this one and you publicly offer your views you leave yourself open to opposing views. You need to be able to defend your perspective. PR Watch takes a swipe at the ideas that Richard proffers in this blog. I felt a need to respond. You can see the give and take at http://www.prwatch.org/node/3666
Posted by: Mark Rose at June 4, 2005 12:06 PM
Dear Mr. Edelman,
Francois Taschereau in Montreal sent me this item on ohmynews while I am travelling in China. You are saying that there is a need to recognize the increasingly dispersed nature of media. It'is fascinating to note here how the internet has become a more and more organized way for people in different regions and communities to voice their grievances or their ideals. Appartments buyers who stand together against a fraudulent promoter, citizens who denounce corruption of local authorities, environment councious citizens who regroup to voice their concerns. The phenomenon is so wide spread and active that the government is unable to keep track of it and to stop it. Citizen reporters acting on their own initiative. Democracy in action.
I was happy to meet you in Montreal,
JF Lepine
CBC-TV
Special Reports and Documentaries
Montreal
Posted by: jean-francois lepine at June 5, 2005 5:56 AM
JF,
Sorry to be so long in responding
Great to meet you as well in montreal
As for citizen journalism
Note events of the day at Morgan Stanley Edelman worked for the Gang of Eight that provoked this event Take care
Richard
Posted by: Richard Edelman at June 14, 2005 8:56 AM
Richard,
To your blog point abt citizens being journos - the second point the police comissioner made here in london at his press conf yday afternoon was to direct public to send cell phone pics and video to a specific police website. So if the public become the investigators the least they can be is brand inventors. It's a step to authority.
Christina
Posted by: Christina Smedley at July 25, 2005 3:20 PM
Christina,
I love this idea. Citizen Journalists as part of MI5. James Bond come to life.
Richard
Posted by: Richard Edelman at July 25, 2005 3:21 PM
richard,
thanks for your information and inspiration accordian asian affairs. very helpful.
birgitt
Posted by: COP - Birgitt E. Morrien at August 11, 2005 10:08 AM