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Written by By Ru Roberts
Vice President of Sales and Marketing Newsflare.com
User-generated videos – videos recorded by the public, commonly via smartphones, but inclusive of anything with a camera — have become increasingly common in the digital age for use by professional news organizations. Overall, user-generated videos can be a valuable resource for news producers looking to enhance their newscasts with compelling and authentic content. By incorporating ‘citizen journalism’ into their reporting, news organizations can provide a more dynamic and diverse viewing experience for their audience.
User-generated videos have played a vital role in documenting and disseminating news events around the world. From natural disasters to political protests, ‘filmers’ use all, and any, camera bearing devices to capture footage that offer valuable insights into unfolding events. In recent years, professional news organizations have increasingly turned to eyewitness video to enhance their coverage of breaking news. This video provides a first-hand perspective on events as they unfold, allowing viewers to experience the news in real-time.
User-generated video also helps increase viewer engagement. Audiences connect more quickly and with emotive interest when seeing footage captured by everyday people. A 2024 report by Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism shows that consumers of news are increasingly seeking out eyewitness videos as sources for news. By integrating user-generated video into their newscasts and other forms of programming, news organizations can achieve higher levels of viewership and interaction with their content.
Newsflare is a UK-based video company that specializes in the Rights Clearance and distribution of user-generated content. Founded in 2010, Newsflare is an online platform with the goal of connecting filmers with media organizations looking for unique and authentic video content. Newsflare’s global network of contributors captures a wide range of events, from breaking news stories to viral videos and human-interest stories. In addition to securing exposure for their videos, filmers can monetize through license agreements secured by Newsflare with news outlets and other clients.
Behind the growing use of user-generated videos by professional news organizations are several factors. Availability in real-time or shortly after an event occurs, supporting breaking news footage for immediate broadcast or publishing. With public interest in mind, this can provide viewers with a more immediate and up-to-date understanding of news events. Filmer videos can offer an authentic and unfiltered view, as they are captured by individuals who are directly involved or witnessing the situation. This can add a sense of realism and immediacy to news coverage.
All news outlets can deliver commentary on what happened, but to understand why or how, there is a need for multiple information sources. User-generated videos can showcase a diverse range of perspectives and experiences, allowing viewers the ability to gain a more comprehensive perspective of a news event. This provides news directors with the ability to present a well-rounded and nuanced view of a story. Additionally, UGC provision includes the stories surrounding the story; satellite events captured on camera in proximity to major news stories. The crowd trouble outside the big game; the the protestors making ready before the march or the hyper local neighborhoods reacting to acts of war.
The rise of eyewitness videos has also raised concerns about the authenticity and accuracy of footage. With the proliferation of deepfake technology and the spread of misinformation online, news organizations must carefully vet and verify the videos they receive from the public. Here is where Newsflare’s Trust Algorithm plays a key role in the adoption of user-generated content by professional news organizations. The proprietary system was developed by Newsflare to assess the trustworthiness and authenticity of user-generated content submitted to their platform. The algorithm uses a combination of machine learning technology and human moderation to analyze and verify the accuracy of videos uploaded by contributors. By using a combination of technology and real person expertise, Newsflare’s Trust algorithm provides a reliable and transparent process for assessing the credibility of user-generated content on their platform. This ensures that videos cleared by Newsflare are authentic, accurate, and suitable for use by professional news organizations.
The relationship between eyewitness videos captured by the public and shared with professional news organizations is constantly growing and evolving. User-generated videos have democratized the way news events are covered and shared, and Newsflare continues its role of bridging content providers from the public and producers of news and documentary programming with rare, real-time, news-making, authentic – and vetted – user-generated video in all content categories.
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