December 30, 2011
Arab spring leads surge in events captured on cameraphones
From Tahrir Square to the scene of John Galliano's racist rants, pictures and videos from the public have been increasingly used in media coverage. The Guardian reports.
In 2011, cameraphones entered the mainstream of photojournalism due to a combination of the Arab uprisings, the Occupy protests and improved technology.
The Guardian, wire agencies and major broadcasters used many more cameraphone and video images. The New York Times said its use has increased a hundredfold.
"That's largely because of the Arab spring", said Michele McNally, assistant managing editor for photography at the New York Times. "Most of the reporters are carrying smartphones because of the image quality of the cameras. They like the style of cellphone filtered imagery and they're less intrusive [to use] in conflict situations."
She said citizen media was an "instant document" of an event rather than a replacement for skilled photojournalism. She said: "Most amateur footage does lack the real smart interpretation of what it's like to be there."
Al-Jazeera's citizen media service Sharek received about 1,000 cameraphone videos during the Egyptian uprising against Hosni Mubarak.
Riyaad Minty, its head of social media, said: "Post Egypt, in places like Libya, Yemen and Syria, citizens posting online have been the primary lens through which people have been able to see what is happening on the ground.
Now our main stories are driven by images captured by citizens on the street, it's no longer just a supporting image. In most cases citizens capture the breaking news moments first. The Arab spring was really the tipping point when it all came together."
Turi Munthe, founder of citizen journalism service Demotix, said there has been a cultural shift in the mainstream media.
Read full article. Gallery: Cameraphone images of the year
The Permanent Link to this page is: http://www.textually.org/picturephoning/archives/2011/12/030024.htm
| Tweet |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||
