BBC Misses User Generated Media Opportunity
Nov 18th, 2006 by Dan Blank
The BBC is now soliciting user generated content. They are offering to pay for material that is “particularly editorially important or unique.”
But then, aren’t they missing the point? Trying to control user generated media - becoming the editors for the world, is simply a missed opportunity for a giant tiptoeing into a vast ocean that it can’t control.
Using user generated content to support their organization in more creative ways - or, and pardon me for overstepping some boundaries - but opening up new channels for their readers to become part of the conversation.
User do not need to control the headlines - but they can add an incredible depth at the second or third tier of a story. Why not create a sandbox and see what users create - it would probably save several hundred internal BBC meetings, as they try to fit user generated media into their tidy little plans.
Dan I think a better way of putting this would be “BBC testing the waters with user generated media opportunity.”
I agree with you as far as the limited scope of their venture is concerned, but I wouldn’t call this a misstep at all. They aren’t trying to control user generated media, they are just testing the waters by starting the program with very limited manner in which the user contributed media can be used.
I am certain that if this program is successful (which it should be) BBC will expand the program and allow the opportunities you mention above to the users.
Muhammad - Thanks for your feedback. While I agree, that this is most likely a small step in a longer process to a more open format, I sometimes get the impression that steps like these can be feeble efforts of control, rather than an innovative look at expanding their mission. Have a nice evening.
-Dan
[…] Don Blank says the BBC is missing an opportunity to really exploit user-generated content: “Trying to control user generated media - becoming the editors for the world, is simply a missed opportunity for a giant tiptoeing into a vast ocean that it can’t control.” […]
[…] On the other hand, I think this development in policy is yet another example of how the BBC is taking official strides in emerging pool of “new media” and “citizen journalism”. Some might decry this as a lost opportunity to cultivate something new and revolutionary, which is valid; on the other hand, I see it from a glass-half-full point of view. After all, radicalism is something that probably doesn’t do well at established organizations that have 80 or so years of history. Where the BBC takes it — what the next steps are in the months and years to come will ultimately tell us how interested it is in this philosophy. It might be waiting, for example, to learn from the mistakes of others. On this side of the pond, Gannett has clearly stripped off its metaphorical clothes and has jumped right into the deep end with its restructuring plans and their planned roles for crowdsourcing. BBC and the Guardian both are great examples of traditional media trying to do it right. The Beeb should be cautiously congratulated — but I think time will tell about how vested it is in this facet of news reporting. […]
[…] It is true that BBC has launched the program with a very limited scope, but at the same time, I have to disagree with Dan, in that I don’t think that BBC has missed the point. […]