Taken from the Impartial Reporter, 3rd April 2008.

Rodney Edwards

e-mail: rodney@rodneyedwards.co.uk

Everyday hoards of media outlets descend on social networking sites or video sharing sites to bump up their coverage of a particular news story or issue. Be it local or national newspapers, magazines, radio or TV stations or various websites – they all have one thing in mind, and that’s bringing its punters closer to the big story.

This particular practice has been widely condemned as ‘lazy journalism’ or indeed, praised as ‘embracing web 2.0 interfaces’ by the Theodore and Abigail’s of management meetings. Websites like YouTube, Bebo, MySpace and Facebook have become an essential journalistic tool for story fodder. Videos, photographs and blogs are now setting the editorial agenda. I’ve written many stories for various British tabloids and broadsheets that have been sourced using the internet following the commands of a barking editor – it’s a practice that has become well acknowledged in the media.

Pick up any paper today and I guarantee you’ll find yet another story based on an internet indignity by a celeb, a footballer or a group of asbo teenagers in Liverpool. Flick on the News at Ten with Trev, and the chances are, he’ll run a story that uses a user-generated video clip to back it up. Regionally, more and more news organisations are feasting on social-networking sites, such as MySpace or Bebo profiles to illustrate a story and maintain their ‘local angle’ remit. Profiles that feature a local that has died or the misdemeanours of another are all used, with the focus heavily on that particular person’s biography or “friend’s comments”. It’s all bizarre and in some respect; infringing on an individual’s privacy; - especially when it concerns a bereavement. I don’t really believe presenting the profile of someone who has died or the messages of condolences as a “story” is beneficial to anyone; in fact, it shows when a story really isn’t a story. But that’s the nature of the beast and how we consumers have started to expect our news – up-close and personal. The internet will continue to alter the delivery of news to the consumer whether you agree with it or not.

Keeping on the subject of local content online, a quick search for ‘Fermanagh’ on video sharing site YouTube.com finds you … absolute tosh. In fact, Fermanagh has such a dreadful “online” presence that the only videos you’ll find worthy of a mention are of a drunk dressed up as Batman, a mini being reversed into a trolley shelter at Asda and a hairy fella vomiting into a shoe. It’s somewhat reassuring that Vibe FM, the new Enniskillen radio station will be launching an online TV service for purely local content soon then. In addition to soon-to-be-launched Fermanagh TV which will also cover local news, entertainment, music and sport much like Vibe. Quality and informative local programmes for local people by local people.

Well, it was only a matter of time before some level-headed folk got their finger out and brought Fermanagh up to speed with the rest of the world. Much hilarity is to be had, of course, at those folk in suits, the individuals that have never been too bothered about taking an interest in the media business – and now, those “old dinosaurs” have all been proved wrong. The change in technology and the introduction of these new media platforms is upon us, as the county’s media business gears up for a thriving future. In fact, it could easily be Fermanagh’s saving grace – pumping a bit of life back into the county. A window of opportunity has been opened, a chance for literally, everyone (of all ages, young and old) to get out and embrace changing times and contribute their talent. We’ve been lurking around in the dark ages for far too long and it’s about time that people, especially those in power (and outside the county), realised, that Fermanagh isn’t all about its lakes, farming or according to the internet; inebriated Goths being sick.

Rodney Edwards presents the Bigger Breakfast Show 7-10am, Mon-Fri on Vibe FM 105.3FM.

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