POPULAR TOOLS

YouTube lets news outlets tap into user content

Tue Nov 17 2009, 13:00 PM UTC

YouTube is unveiling a free app that will allow US media companies to request, review and rebroadcast user-generated content through a video upload tool integrated on their websites. The tool, called YouTube Direct, is aimed at letting news organisations tap into content from so called 'citizen journalists' who may have eyewitness videos of celebrities, events or disasters. The Huffington Post, NPR and the San Francisco Chronicle have already signed up to use the platform.

"We're trying to connect media organisations with citizen reporters on YouTube," says YouTube head of news and politics Steve Grove.

As part of the service, news outlets will be able to request video content from YouTube users. NPR is already soliciting videos for its new scientific series on the site. The tool should also make it easier for media companies to verify YouTube content by providing them with a method for directly contacting the person who shot the clip. YouTube believes the platform will appeal to businesses, non-profit organisations and politicians who want to create promotional videos.