Future Media: Musings on Content

The BBC has restructured to break down barriers between modes of media: http://www.abc.net.au/rn/mediareport/stories/2006/1769449.htm

As it does so, its biggest concern lies in how (and how much) content is created and how this impacts on mainstream media, especially in terms of it losing the traditional role of ‘content gatekeeper’. This trend forces media companies to open up access to content and in turn consider the role and extent of copyright integrity.

So, as media fragments, what are media companies doing? Many are engaging more with audiences, becoming interactive, being 24-hour service and looking at what the BBC calls ‘local-local’ (citizen journalism).

It isn’t alone. In Korea, OhMy News is incorporating user-input content so successfully that other media firms are copying the model: http://www.abc.net.au/rn/mediareport/stories/2007/1843323.htm

Even in Indonesia viewer interaction is gaining in popularity: http://www.abc.net.au/rn/mediareport/stories/2007/1799432.htm though perhaps with more emphasis on sensationalism and less emphasis on editorial policy control!

Video editing software for home PCs, HD camcorders and a generation of tech-savvy users highly adept with things like YouTube means citizen journalism is likely to grow. And there is likely to be demand for such localized content as the world becomes more mobile and people value staying in touch. This becomes even more relevant in frontier communities: http://www.abc.net.au/rn/mediareport/stories/2006/1652825.htm

Power to the People!