What if everyone's a stringer?

Link: Have Camera Phone? Yahoo and Reuters Want You to Work for Their News Service - New York Times.

If you're working as a reporter, what do you think?

If you're a citizen with a cell phone, what do you think?

Comments

[Nicholas]

I agree that people are interested in seeing something from the insider's perspective, for certain issues or events. That is what letters to the editor are for, and that is why they are so well read (comparatively.) I hope the news sources are careful in varifying the information and photos received.
As far as feeling that little twinge of fear that I may be replaced by an amateur (even though I'm no pro), it's only so significant that I'm inspired to work harder. There are certain necessary advances the news industry must make to keep selling papers and grabbing people's attention. This will help for a while, then be replaced by something else. But there will never be a replacement for information gatherers. And writing and taking photographs are not activities someone can pick up one day and turn professional the next. They take years, usually more years than any one person possesses, to master.
If anything, this move should inspire professional journalists to be on the lookout, whether on or off the clock, for stories more personal than events coverage.

[Chip]

I couldn't agree more, Nicholas. Thanks for a thoughtful, candid and humble response.

[HP Marie]

I feel that this is a great idea due to the fact that reporters and/or professional photographers may not always be present in the event of a newsworthy occurence. Therefore, if camera phone photos are able to be considered credible information to be displayed within the context of news, the public eye will be able to view the event much sooner.