What’s Your Preference?

BigFuzzy · #1 (**permalink**) 12-01-2011, 08:58 AM

If you missed it, CNN layed off some editors and photojournalists.

HERE is Steven Colberts take on it. As usual, he's brilliant.

SwissJon · #2 (**permalink**) 12-01-2011, 11:18 AM

LoL.. Whoopee doo.. Let's lower the standard of photojournalism even further so our shareholders can get a little bit more in their short term profits, before we go bankrupt because we didn't have the foresight to see that sometimes you have to invest in yourselves to make a long term profit.

Shawn7656 · #3 (**permalink**) 12-01-2011, 12:29 PM

God Colbert is hilarious... I love him.

However, iReport is terrible... I can't believe CNN is stupid enough to think that random civilians are going to be willing to actually cover MAJOR stories for free...
"I am SO going to the front-lines of a war to take pictures of people burnt alive for FREE. It's been my life goal" -_-
As Colbert said.. I hope they lose their viewers along with these lay-offs...

BigFuzzy · #4 (**permalink**) 12-01-2011, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawn7656

God Colbert is hilarious... I love him.

However, iReport is terrible... I can't believe CNN is stupid enough to think that random civilians are going to be willing to actually cover MAJOR stories for free...
"I am SO going to the front-lines of a war to take pictures of people burnt alive for FREE. It's been my life goal" -_-
As Colbert said.. I hope they lose their viewers along with these lay-offs...

As much as I agree this is an asinine move by CNN to rely on the social journalist, we have to be fair also.

CNN has not laid off ALL their photographers. The people covering the example you gave (ie MAJOR stories) will be covered (ack, I hope!) by the remaining full-time professional staff (or those they contract/deal with that aren't their organic staff).

I think their point is that they don't need a full-time staff photog covering some bs rally in the middle of NYC when every Joe and his mother is on the street with DSLR or whatnot and is happy to upload it to iCNN to see their photo on nat television/on the website.

I do think, in the long run, it's a dumb decision, but it's not as bad as you're making it out to be Shawn.

sk66 · #5 (**permalink**) 12-01-2011, 12:50 PM

"CNN’s citizen journalism initiative, iReport, has proved extremely valuable as a source of imagery during things like disasters and protests."

I hate to say it, but it's probably true... I'm certain that even an "average" pic taken at the critical moment by someone who just happened to be there is better than a pic from a photojournalist who gets there 6 hours later.
But actual "coverage" of a story? That's pushing it....And I pretty much hate social media.

Shawn7656 · #6 (**permalink**) 12-01-2011, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigFuzzy

As much as I agree this is an asinine move by CNN to rely on the social journalist, we have to be fair also.

CNN has not laid off ALL their photographers. The people covering the example you gave (ie MAJOR stories) will be covered (ack, I hope!) by the remaining full-time professional staff (or those they contract/deal with that aren't their organic staff).

I think their point is that they don't need a full-time staff photog covering some bs rally in the middle of NYC when every Joe and his mother is on the street with DSLR or whatnot and is happy to upload it to iCNN to see their photo on nat television/on the website.

I do think, in the long run, it's a dumb decision, but it's not as bad as you're making it out to be Shawn.

I use hyperboles extensively

Sorry bout that. It's like a family trait or something... lol.

No I assumed they wouldn't get rid of their photogs that go out and do stuff like that, but I wonder if they WOULD if civilians just started going out and taking pics for em. Do you think they'd be nice enough to pay for a Pulitzer-worthy pic?

BigFuzzy · #7 (**permalink**) 12-01-2011, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawn7656

I use hyperboles extensively

Sorry bout that. It's like a family trait or something... lol.

No I assumed they wouldn't get rid of their photogs that go out and do stuff like that, but I wonder if they WOULD if civilians just started going out and taking pics for em. Do you think they'd be nice enough to pay for a Pulitzer-worthy pic?

hehe, it's all good. I'm an analytically brained person, so I take things as they are written and don't presume hyperbolic interpretation or freedom!

Yeah, if they feel they were staying at whatever quality level they see themselves at by using 'civilians', why not? I personally don't think it's possible, but if they can maintain whatever level of quality they have by doing so.. couldn't blame them for trying.

As for the pay.. if I were the photo, I'd care more about the prize than whether or not CNN paid me.. with the prize will come the bling of future opportunities (plus 10k!).

Shawn7656 · #8 (**permalink**) 12-01-2011, 01:54 PM

It'd be interesting to see if they'd offer you a position then, eh? lol

BigFuzzy · #9 (**permalink**) 12-01-2011, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawn7656

It'd be interesting to see if they'd offer you a position then, eh? lol

Heh.. probably not. They'd then use the "if he won it, anyone of our iReporters can" argument. So no.

#10 (**permalink**) 12-01-2011, 02:59 PM

iReporters is the reason I stopped watching CNN. Such a waste of space.

Let's get average citizens with no journalistic background and set them up to do completely unbiased news reports from their homes!!*

~Eric

*Note massive liberal use of sarcasm.

EDIT: The first two comments were HIGH-LARRY-US!! LOL

Quote:

So now they want to be known as the Cheap News Network?

Quote:

Just goes to prove, if you give a million monkeys a million cameras ... you'll eventually get crappy news footage without having to pay for it.