Very interesting explanation by Fergus Bell of AP over on Poynter about how they ‘validate’ and ‘verify’ User Generated Content.
Tactics being used in Syria, according to Bell, include activists holding “up a sign in front of the camera to prove what day it is” and narrating a video “so that we can completely understand what they were saying, and we’re getting the information that was attached to that video by the creator.”
It’s an interesting example of how people on the ground are adapting to the verification needs of news organizations in order to ensure their content gets disseminated.
The emerging best practices for UGC verification are slowly improving the quality of UGC, and helping spread ethical information sharing practices.
The larger message is a powerful one: Holding ourselves to a high standard can encourage others to do the same.
Via Lucas Jackson (thank you Lucas).