A Clash of Cultures: The Integration of User-Generated Content within Professional Journalistic Frameworks at British Newspaper Websites

Journalism Practice, Vol. 2, No. 3, pp. 343-356, 2008

18 Pages Posted: 4 Sep 2008

See all articles by Alfred Hermida

Alfred Hermida

University of British Columbia - School of Journalism

Neil Thurman

Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich; City University London

Date Written: September 3, 2008

Abstract

This study examines how national UK newspaper websites are integrating user-generated content (UGC). A survey quantifying the adoption of UGC by mainstream news organisations showed a dramatic increase in the opportunities for contributions from readers. In-depth interviews with senior news executives revealed this expansion is taking place despite residual doubts about the editorial and commercial value of material from the public. The study identified a shift towards the use of moderation due to editors' persistent concerns about reputation, trust, and legal liabilities, indicating that UK newspaper websites are adopting a traditional gate-keeping role towards UGC. The findings suggest a gate-keeping approach may offer a model for the integration of UGC, with professional news organisations providing editorial structures to bring different voices into their news reporting, filtering and aggregating UGC in ways they believe to be useful and valuable to their audience. While this research looked at UGC initiatives in the context of the UK newspaper industry, it has broad relevance as professional journalists tend to share a similar set of norms. The British experience offers valuable lessons for news executives making their first forays into this area and for academics studying the field of participatory journalism.

Keywords: blogs, British newspaper websites, citizen journalism, online journalism, participatory journalism, user-generated content

Suggested Citation

Hermida, Alfred and Thurman, Neil J., A Clash of Cultures: The Integration of User-Generated Content within Professional Journalistic Frameworks at British Newspaper Websites (September 3, 2008). Journalism Practice, Vol. 2, No. 3, pp. 343-356, 2008, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1262749

Alfred Hermida

University of British Columbia - School of Journalism ( email )

Sing Tao Building
6388 Crescent Road
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2
Canada

HOME PAGE: http://www.journalism.ubc.ca/

Neil J. Thurman (Contact Author)

Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich ( email )

Oettingenstr. 67
Munich, 80538
Germany

City University London ( email )

Northampton Square
London, EC1V 0HB
United Kingdom

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