Fans flood CNN with Michael Jackson iReports
The death of Michael Jackson has driven traffic on CNN's iReport site to record levels.
The program set up in 2006 to encourage viewers around the world to become citizen journalists filing videos and reports to CNN received 660 iReports in the 6 and 1/2 or so hours between the announcement of Jackson's death and midnight Thursday (the internal measuring device used by CNN only counts midnight to midnight).
A total of 29 were approved for air on CNN and posting on cnn.com after going through a vetting process that I write about in my column in the arts section of Sunday's Sun. (The Sunday piece focuses on user generated content and Iran.)
One of the most timely pieces received in the immediate wake of Jackson's death was a video of Times Square as the announcement was first posted high above the crowd. It is the only video I have seen so far of that moment in time, and it offers an evocative sense of the stunned reaction. This is exactly the kind of thing citizen journalism can offer -- a record of an important moment captured by someone in the right place at the right time before the mainstream press gets there.
CNN has received more total iReports in response to the inauguration of President Barack Obama and the contested election in Iran June 12th. But a spokeswoman said the channel is checking to see what kind of traffic those events did in a comparable time period.
Lila King, the senior producer in charge of the iReports operation, said in an email response Friday: "While Michael Jackson's life involved tragedy and controversy as well as success and inspiration, the iReport.com community is expressing its grief through very thoughtful contributions, celebrating his life and impact. With Michael Jackson's death, iReport.com has become a virtual scrapbook of memories from people all around the world."
Many of iReports videos were tributes from from fans. They have been airing Friday on CNN, and have added a sense of authenticity to reports and analysis by correspondents and experts as to how Jackson's audience is processing the news of his death at 50.
This is once place where user generated content via new media has added texture and even depth to traditional reporting on a cultural event.
Comments
MJ will live on forever through his music and videos. A tribute to his life: http://tinyurl.com/MichaelJacksonPortal never forget!
Posted by: Mike Mills | June 26, 2009 12:12 PM
Heal the worl, you are not alone and believe in yourself and the others could be enough to make a change on world.
Like MJ make a better place for you and me..
Posted by: Nuno Paixão | June 26, 2009 1:14 PM
No matter what they
say about you now
that you are gone
From the bottom of my heart
I want just to tell you
Mr. Michael Jackson THANK YOU
for lighting up our lives
with your beautiful music
and your great performance
No one has to speak
your English language
to admire your music
and your angelic performance
They knew you loved them
and they all love you
around the whole world
and we all miss you
We all be gone one day
but great people like you
when they are gone
they remain your musical
food will be here forever
THANK YOU again and again.
M.Bruno Arfaoui
Posted by: M. Bruno Arfaoui | June 26, 2009 7:28 PM
I will make it my mission to spread love and kindness in honor of the beloved Michael Jackson.
Posted by: Yolle E. | June 28, 2009 2:49 AM