YouTube Direct Lets 'Citizen Journalists' Submit News Videos
With the advent of "citizen journalism," anyone with a camera,
an Internet connection, and a few questions can become a member
of the fourth estate. But how do you know if this reporting is
accurate?  YouTube on Tuesday introduced a new portal, dubbed
YouTube Direct, intended to provide news organizations with a
more organized way to find and use homemade videos about the
day's major news stories.  Let's say a tornado touches down and
wipes out a Midwestern town, a politician makes a newsworthy
comment at a voter meet-and-greet, or a traffic accident has
brought a major highway to a standstill. A news team might not
be able to make it to the scene immediately, but you had your
camera out and captured the action.  Now, through YouTube
Direct, you can submit your video to the news organization of
your choice and that station or Web site editor can choose
whether to use or decline your footage via a private dashboard.
The result? "Citizen stringers,"