CNN iReport Review

Upon signing up for an account on CNN iReport, I decided to check out the website to see what it has to offer. For the most part, I was impressed by the format and structure of this rather unique multimedia storytelling platform.

I found it especially intriguing that all of the content, information, and stories featured on iReport are generated by citizen journalists from CNN's audience. In my opinion, the idea of encouraging everyday people to cover newsworthy events that were previously restricted to traditional media outlets is both organic and cutting edge. It allows viewers to feel as if they have a voice and makes them a part of a newsgathering process that has faced mounting criticism in recent years. And, most importantly, it epitomizes the cultural blending of traditional news and citizen journalism that continues to impact, change, and redirect the journalism industry as a whole.

I think that iReport is a brilliant idea in terms of increased viewership and a higher quality of journalism on the part of CNN. Many of the producer-approved clips that I watched while touring the site were both engaging and informative, such as the firsthand footage of last week's NASA rocket explosion. I also liked the fact that each story was distinctly different from a content and stylistic standpoint. From raw video to commentary to written articles, I came across a number of stories that covered everything from street harassment in New York City to the financial impact of lava flow in Hawaii.

My one criticism of iReport, and other similar websites, is the high volume of clutter that one has to sort through in order to find "the gold." Any media platform that caters to amateur input will undoubtedly yield its fair share of amateur results, which can make it difficult for users to distinguish between meaningful citizen journalism and fluff pieces that don't carry a lot of substance. Of course, this is nearly impossible to avoid in the realm of journalism through the eyes of the everyday person and is ultimately a part of the process. For what it's worth, CNN is diligent in managing the clutter through the efforts of producers who review the submissions and verify them for accuracy and clarity.