The Rise of UGC

1. What is meant by the term 'Citizen Journalist'? 
   Citizen Journalist is a term used when referring to those whom are non professional and analyse and present news in different ways and forms ie on websites, wikipedia and online blogs such as media mcguffin. Using these allow them to share information on different devices like phones, computers, laptops, iPods, tablets and etc.
2. List some of the formats for participation that are now offered by news organisations. forums, comments, blog
3. What is one of the main differences between professionally shot footage and that taken first-hand (UGC)?  One of the main differences between professionally shot footage and that take first hand is the fact that professionally shot footage tends to always be bias in one way or another and portrays a specific point that institutes want the audience to see. However first hand footage will always show the whole story as it isn't edited or cut. 
4. What is a gatekeeper?  One who controls whether someone can access something or not to do with news is known as the gatekeeper. The main gatekeeper when it comes to news is the editor as they select the stories and edit them according to how they want the story to be shown. Therefore they can limit what the audience view and what they don't.
5. How has the role of a gatekeeper changed?  The gatekeepers role has changed over the years as there has been huge changes in new and digital media. Before it was always the professionals, ie the editors who use to dictate and present what was to go on the news. Now with the introduction of social networking sites, such as Facebook, Twitter and Bebo, ordinary people of the world are able to express their own opinions and give the true story of specific things shown bias on the news.
6. What is one of the primary concerns held by journalists over the rise of UGC? One of the main concerns that are held by the journalists due to the rise of user generated content is the fact that there are going to be very less professionals in the news industry as more and more of the news is being controlled and managed by user generated content.

New and Digital Media Stories

Twitter teams up with Soundcloud and iTunes to play audio within tweets

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/oct/17/twitter-soundcloud-itunes-audio-tweets

This article is about the way in which Twitter is about to become more musical and lyrics are going to be appearing on ones timeline via a new Twitter Audio Card feature which is already being used by Itunes and Soundcloud. While going through the twitter timeline, it will allow one to have music playing in the background.

I think that this is quite an interesting article as it allows those that use twitter often aware of changes that are being made and that are beneficial for them. The fact that I use it on occasions, I am happy to hear about this as it will allow me to listen to music when using the app and I wont have to change the app in order to change the song. 

Facebook Safety Check will help tell friends you're safe during disasters 

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/oct/17/facebook-safety-check-friends-disasters

This article discusses a new feature which is going to be available on facebook, allowing one to signify their status and check that their friends and family are okay and arent at risk or harm in any way. It will allow one to click 'Im Safe' to make sure that everyone on their profile is aware that they are. The safety check allows one to be aware of the risks around them, ie Tsunamis and Earthquakes, etc. 

- They add that the feature was inspired by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan in 2011, with Facebook’s Japanese engineers subsequently developing a tool – the Disaster Message Board – to help people make contact during and after disasters. 

I think that this is a very interesting and important article as it allows one to be at less risk of harm and danger, and if one is in danger, everyone is aware of it. This also shows that facebook is looking after its users, which shows that they are a caring institution. 

News and Digital Media Story

Amazon Fire Phone Review: Setting Nothing A blaze

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/oct/07/amazon-fire-phone-review-android-smartphone

This article is about how the release of one of the most recent phones that have been released by amazon have not done as well as expected and have dissapointed a lot of customers. According to the critics the smartphone felt very outdated and the software inside of it, wasn't as great as expected. 

- Instead the Fire Phone is restricted to Amazon’s own App Store, which has around 240,000 apps compared to Google’s Play Store with 1.3m apps.

This article is quite interesting as it shows that some things aren't as successful as others, ie the iphone 6 was more successful in comparison to this. It also shows the way in which media institutions are trying to expand and keep producing more and more things. 

The Snappening: Thousands of kids, some as young as 10 could have nude photos posted online,

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/technology-science/technology/snappening-thousands-kids-young-10-4417800#ixzz3G1h6NsiI 

Thousands of children, some as young as 10, are facing the horror of seeing nude pictures of themselves posted on the net.

Message boards on a notorious website called 4Chan have been inundated with details of the “The Snappening”.

Hackers claim they have managed to break in to another image-saving service that allows users of Snapchat to store pictures received before they vanish.

As proof, they have reportedly posted pictures allegedly taken from this third party app but have since deleted them.

Half of Snapchat users are aged between 13 and 17, and there are grave fears that tens of thousands of leaked images will be of under-age UK children who have been.

This article is quite interesting as it gives awareness not only to kids but to adults to inform them that such social networking apps can be dangerous and nothing is hidden. Also it warns kids and teens to be careful as to who they send pictures to and when they do what capture do they portray to whom they are sending it to.It also shows the way in which media institutions are trying to inform and make sure people are aware of this. 

Smartphone users are busy 221 times a day

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/arts/books/cheltenham-festival/article4232166.ece

The average Briton spends the equivalent of almost an entire day each week glued to their smartphone screen and uses it 221 times in every 24 hours for social networking, emailing, texting and other tasks.

An animalistic thirst for socialising has made us a nation addicted to our smartphones, often wandering blindly into Facebook without quite knowing why.

This article is quite interesting as it shows how people are addicted to there mobile phones, if its not for phone calls its for texting,emailing and so forth. It shows that many people without even knowing spend so much time on their mobile phones.It also shows the way in which media institutions are trying to explain to people how addicted they are without even knowing it. 

Buzz Feed

21 Emotions We All Experience While Watching the X Factor

http://www.buzzfeed.com/xfactoruk/21-emotions-we-al;l-experience-while-watching-the-x-factor#22pq704 

This listicle is all about the many different ways in which people feel when they are watching x factor. This lists 21 ways and expresses the many different ways, ie panic, anger, etc. They are each shown in GIFS, which relate well. 

In my opinion, this is a very pointless article as it does not state anything interesting and just states pointless information. I believe no one would actually bother reading it as no one would care how one reacts to watching the X factor. 

News Company Research

Who are the major players in terms of news providers in the UK and what exactly do they own?

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) 

The BBC is a UK based international service which is based in the Broadcasting house located in London. It is one of the oldest broadcasting organisations consisting of 23,000 staff, which is one of the largest broadcasters. BBC News is an operational business division for the BBC and is responsible wholly for gathering all the news stories of current affairs. This department of the BBC is one of the biggest organisations for the news as it generates around 120 hours of the radio and television every single day on the television. Additionally broadcasting online, ie iPlayer.

What do they own?

BBC One

BBC Two

BBC Three

BBC Four 

CBBC

Cbeebies

BBC News

BBC Parliament

BBC Alba

BBC Red Button

Sky News UK

Sky News being based in Britain, is a 24 hour multi media news operator. It is specifically for the use of news and provides its audiences and consumers with non stop news online, on the television and a few different devices. Additionally, they also deliver national and international radio news to its audiences to different commercial stations in the UK.

News Corporation

Created by Rupert Murdoch in 1979. It is also the worlds 2nd largest media group according to the revenue. Additionally it is the worlds third largest in entertainment since 2009.

What do they own (UK)?

The Times, Sunday Times, Press Association, The Sun

What do they own (AUS)?

Master Chef Magazine, GO, Vogue

Weekly New and Digital Media Stories

BBC iPlayer catch-up window extended to 30 days

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/oct/06/bbc-iplayer-30-days-sherlock

This article is based on the fact that BBC have decided on extended the period of time that shows are left up on BBC iPlayer, which allows people to catch up on shows they haven't been able to watch, during the week on time. It explains how from a week, it will change to 30 days. Making it more and more convenient for the audience and not limiting them in any way.

- There are more than 7m requests for BBC iPlayer programming a day.

- The BBC said the Sherlock series three opener had received more than 3.6 million requests on the iPlayer. 

I find this article quite interesting as it shows me and the rest of the population whom use this facility that we will be able to access programmes and radio stations that we have missed for a longer period. (4 times) This is a good thing for me, as it means that I wont just have a week to have to watch everything, however will be able to watch it whenever I want and whenever is convenient for me.

Alleged iPhone 6 prototype for sale on eBay for more than $60,000

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/oct/06/alleged-iphone-6-prototype-for-sale-ebay

This article is about how a prototype of the Apple iPhone 6, 64gb is in possession of an ebay seller and shouldn't be. It is stated that it came in her hands as she renewed her contract and it was sent to her. It doesn't have the original markings, which it should do and it does not run on the normal iOS8 software, however runs on something totally different and is believed to be in diagnostic mode. On the phone are apps that aren't available to normal iPhone holders. These are used in order to test new apps. 

- An eBay seller is reported to be in possession of a prototype of Apple’s recently released iPhone 6 and is selling it for in excess of $61,000 (£38,200).

- It is unlikely that the auction will be allowed to complete, despite reaching $61,000 with 99 bids from 36 separate bidders and over three days left to run

I find this article quite interesting as it allows me to be more aware when shopping on these sites. Despite having never shopped on sites like Ebay and Ebay itself, it shows that not everything is authentic and real online. Some things are way overpriced and aren't what they are meant to be originally. Making the audience and consumers more and more aware of these scenarios.