Tim Hubbard

For Tim Hubbard and the BBC, social media has had a significant impact and influence on the way the corporation works and how it gathers and collects news. In an interview with SMiLE, Tim Hubbard (Weekend Editor of BBC Cornwall) explained how despite the increased audience interaction, the reliability of such footage can be problematic.

Editor’s worries

Facebook and Twitter are fundamentally changing the way we get our information.  However, even though getting this information is great, there are certain worries that editors such as I have in getting this information from these sources.  How reliable is it to have a member of the public or an off-duty member of staff to send information through Facebook or Twitter?

It is evident from Tim’s response that editors do worry about how reliable User Generated Content (UGC) is. Because it did not come from either a BBC journalist nor a trusted news provider, verifying the information is difficult. Its is a prime responsibility of a news provider not to misled its audience and therefore editors must be sure that the data is  correct before it is broadcast. Making such a guarantee and an impartial judgement with UGC can be difficult.

Public Safety

Safety concerns are also important.   

Tim described how the Bunsfield Oil Refinery was an occasion that provided masses of UGC, but also provided editors with a headache on editorial judgement and control. Should the BBC use clips that are evidently taken whilst breaking the law?

One clip the BBC received of the fire was filmed on private property (illegal trespassing) and filmed when the videographer’s safety was in danger. The BBC did not use the clip for editorial reasons…Sky did. Tim asks who was right?

I would argue that as UGC becomes increasingly important and prominent part of news output, clear-cut decisions must be made over whether such clips should be used. Personally, if the clip is produced illegally, it should not be used…it is after all breaking the law for the trespasses and then for the broadcasters to reproduce it.

Conclusion

There are huge safety issues in using social media as well as the editorial concerns.

Guidelines need to be drawn up to decide a correct standard procedure for such eventualities so uniform action can take place across the broadcaster. UGC can be useful, but ensuring its reliability and legality can be a major issue.

You can see the full video below:

Jason