WTSP-Ch. 10 seeking 20 citizen journalists to help gather news

Local TV stations often encourage viewers to provide footage of news they can't get to -- like weather emergencies, fires and things which may happen too quickly for the station to get professionals to capture.

But St. Petersburg CBS affiliate WTSP is taking that concept a step further, soliciting viewers and users of its Web site to apply for one of 20 slots in a new citizen journalism program they are unveiling, training a group of non-journalists to use handheld cameras to capture compelling images they may stumble across on their own.

There's not much money in the proposition -- $20 for every clip used and the right to keep the video camera after a year. But the offer hints an an intriguing effort to take WTSP's cameras deeper into the community it's trying to cover. In my conversations with two different general managers taking over rival stations recent weeks, the mantra of community involvement was just about the first phrase which escaped their lips.

It will be interesting to see if this citizen journalism project winds up becoming a low-cost way to achieve that laudable goal.

Here's the announcement they've made to potential participants:   

"Tampa Bay's 10 is looking for twenty people around the Bay area to help us with a special project. We will teach twenty lucky people how to shoot a video camera, and how to get the video to us here at the station.

Here is how it will work:
For one year, these twenty people will agree to send us video stories which we will air on our newscast or post on our web site.

Every three months, shooters will be required to send me ten stories, or clips which I can put on the air.
These clips can be about many different subjects. Things that happen in your community. Anything from bad weather to your childs play at school. Maybe your neighborhood meeting.

Each time you send me a video story that either makes it on the news or on our web site, Tampa Bay's 10 will pay you TWENTY DOLLARS!

  If you hold up your end of the deal, after a year, you will KEEP the video camera we assign you.
Tampa Bay's 10 will issue you a video camera, a tripod, a bag for the camera, a battery, all of the necessary equipment to download video into your computer and a bag to store it.

My name is Mitchell Wallace and I will work with this citizen journalist team to get these stories in our newscasts and online.

If you'd like to learn more or be considered, send me an e-mail mwallace@tampabays10.com.
Right now - there is no form to fill out. But in your email make sure you include:
- Your Name
- Where you live
- What kind of videos you currently shoot (Children's programs, church events, etc.)
- How we can contact you (phone, e-mail)"

Comments

[Jim Johnson]

Thanks for letting us know about this, Eric. I have submitted my name -- hoping to be tapped for state and local political coverage.

However, I think this is a great concept. If the Times or Tribune would offer something like this - they might find it would help their bottom line.

[Robin 'Roblimo' Miller]

Update: my wife suggests that if the cam they're willing to give away is a Canon HV20 or better (i.e. HDV unit I can actually use; that has mic and headphone jacks and retails for $650 or more) the $20/video *clip* is not terrible. She points out that I hit lots of community events and often go to the beach anyway, so putting out 40 *clips* -- as opposed to real, edited video productions -- is close to -0- work for me. :)

[Anonymous]

$20? A newspaper CEO makes more than that in one minute...and does not have to put his life at risk.

What's next? They throw in a breadbox or toaster?

As long as the Powers That Be place no value on quality visual content, the Death Spiral will continue.

[Chris]

How about getting a chief meteorologist first? (a popular ex-Tampa met is reportedly in the running)

[Jim]

It's a decent concept. As long as they do not eliminate actual professional reporters from the streets, I think this may be the way to go.

[Robin 'Roblimo' Miller]

Here's the email I sent:

How about $50/clip (or more) and I use my own camera(s)?

Michell,

I have a Sony A1U and a Canon XHA1 (both "broadcast quality" HDV; can also do SD) plus multiple tripods, a spiderbrace and flycam rig, and a full rack of wired and wireless mics. I also have "raincoats" for my cams so I can do marine and/or foul-weather work, and a 4X4 Jeep I can drive in up to 2' of water, no problem.

[personal/contact info redacted]

I make all kinds of videos, from simple static-shot interviews to fully-edited online and broadcast TV spots.

My schedule is flexible, but I am out of town on business an average of about one week out of five.

Please give me a yell if you're interested in what I have to offer. Naturally, I won't give you junk, but substantive stories.

How about I start with a piece about a "ghetto" church pastor who's doing a whole lot of tutoring and general learning-promotion work -- and is keeping his little operation going out of his own (thin) pockets since funding for his efforts got cut off?

Thanks,

- Robin