Looking for news stories from the grassroots? Wikinews might have it. Wikinews is based on the same premise as the online encyclopedia Wikipedia. Anyone can add or edit an article. At Wikinews the aim is collaborative news gathering and reporting. In theory editing by others will make for neutral and unbiased reporting because errors are corrected. But that doesn't prevent new bias or new errors being introduced. In practice, Wikinews might have some value for picking up first hand accounts by citizen (untrained) journalists, but it's not likely to ever be a fully credible source.
Wikinews creates the unassociated press by Aaron Weiss, CNet News (Feb 11)
Of interest: "Despite the obstacles, the Wikinews community has produced more than 500 articles in its first two months. One contributor, Lennart Regebro, a consultant from Paris, said he was drawn by the opportunity to shape online news delivery. Another, Seth Matheson, a junior at St. Mary's College of Maryland and editor of the college newspaper, said he was interested in bringing diverse news sources together. And Wiki Wickramarathna, a freelance photographer and journalist from Sri Lanka, saw an opportunity for reporting on recent events from his location."
Wikinews - Seven language 'editions'.
Wikinews - English - browse by subject and region.
Posted by Gwen at February 14, 2005 11:29 AM