581 I believe that in the history of photojournalism, last week will go down as the week when a paradigm shift took place in what is considered the coverage of spot news. The shift has been coming for several years now, but 2 events last week I believe crystallized a trend which does not necessarily bode well for photojournalists, especially those who free-lance. I*m therefore writing this as invitation for discussion. The first issue took place in London last week, with the use of cell phone cameras by commuters to capture the immediacy of the aftermath of the bombings. I think they provided unique and moving images of this disaster. I also think we can expect to see these kind of photographs become a staple of news coverage as people all over the world continue to buy and use these phones. The second issue was the advent this weekend by several of the cable news channels to solicit photographs and videos by * Citizen Journalists,* of the affects of Hurricane Dennis. This phenomenon has been growing steadily in recent years as video blogs, podcasting, and numerous other independent efforts have started appearing on the web by both entrepreneurs and enthusiasts who are seeking, in some cases, to carve out their own news and/or entertainment web based newspapers and television networks. The difference here is that these cable channels, operating as subsidiaries of major news gathering conglomerates are seeking to collect photos and videos from which they hope not only to use as B Roll for their coverage of events such as a hurricane, but clearly to exploit as a potential revenue source. Below is the Terms Of Use agreement on the CNN website. I have highlighted the section that I think merits discussion. Specifically, I think that this effort, which can only be expected to continue and grow as these cable channels focus their efforts on encouraging viewers to send in their photos and videos, does not bode well for photojournalists. With the ability to sell and distribute these photos and videos, the cable channels become direct competitors to both the wire services and photo agencies. Moreover, since these cable channels are part of larger corporate entities who own other media * CNN is part of Time-Warner, which publishes Time, Sports Illustrated, Entertainment Weekly, and countless other magazines, as well as other television cable channels - will result in reducing to some degree, the opportunity for professionals to *sell* their work. What do you think? al crespo CNN TERMS OF USE AGREEMENT By submitting your videos/photos/audio, for good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency and receipt of which you hereby acknowledge, you hereby grant to CNN a non-exclusive, perpetual, worldwide license to edit, telecast, rerun, reproduce, use, syndicate, license, print, distribute and otherwise exploit the materials you submit, or any portion thereof, as incorporated in any of CNN's programming or the promotion thereof, in any manner and in any medium or forum, whether now known or hereafter devised, without making payment to you or any third party. You represent and warrant to CNN that you have the full legal right, power and authority to grant to CNN the license provided for herein, that you own or control the complete exhibition and other rights to the materials you submitted for the purposes contemplated in this license and that neither the materials nor the exercise of the rights granted herein shall infringe upon or violate the right of privacy or right of publicity of, or constitute a libel or slander against, or violate any common law or any other right of, any person or entity. You agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless CNN, its parent and affiliated companies, its and their licensees, successors and assigns, and each of its and their officers, agents and employees from all liabilities or losses, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees, arising out of or related to CNN's exercise of the rights granted herein. This license shall be governed by the laws of the State of Georgia. 1 2005-07-11T07:24:12Z 0 2006-06-09T22:09:45Z false 1358 false 13672 2009-02-24T18:50:30Z miami true false citizen-jorunalists---will-they-take-over-spot-news-coverage 1 2009-02-24T18:50:30Z 635