Larry AltonThe social networking and news website known as Reddit has completely transformed that way everyday internet users learn about current events. If there is a major occurrence that will draw the attention of national or global audiences, then there is a high chance that this event has its own thread on Reddit Live. This subcategory is the home to countless breaking news feeds, which are prioritized based on the number of upvotes the live thread has received. Anyone can contribute to these feeds at anytime, allowing users to post up-to-the moment police scanner information, social media updates, multimedia, and more. Some of the most memorable Reddit Live feeds include Ferguson coverage after the shooting of Mike Brown and reports from the Sydney Siege.
Harnessing the Power of Citizen Journalism
Essentially, Reddit Live threads emphasize the importance of live posts submitted by people on the ground. According to the FAQ, anyone with a Reddit account can start a Live thread. A multitude of contributors can add content pulled from a variety of sources including: social media posts from people on the ground, raw footage from news channels, transcripts of live police scanner information, YouTube videos, audio clips, and more. Live feed contributors have the power to add more contributors to assist, so that the reporting isn’t limited to a single person. Posts are displayed in chronological order, with the most current information at the top of the thread. This linear format allows viewers to get caught up on the present situation during a major event.
One Spot for Multiple Sources
Finding a single source for breaking news can be a major struggle, as citizens hit social media, news stations, and blogs to record their experiences. Rather than writing out a summary of events on Reddit Live, contributors are able to embed content directly from the source in an undiluted manner. For example, Vine footage captured by citizen journalists in Ferguson were added directly to the Reddit Live news feed, so that viewers didn’t have to spend time tracking down the source of the video or reading a summary of the situation. It was there for all to see, in video, sound, and photography.
Viewer Oriented
The Reddit Live threads take an interesting approach to audience awareness. The current number of viewers “tuned in” is displayed at the very top of each feed. This helps to instill a greater sense of community and contribution, since the news feed itself is being managed by other Redditors. This is an interesting spin on the news, since audiences aren’t usually aware of one another while watching TV. Reddit Live threads encourage interaction, especially since each feed comes with its own comments section and voting mechanism. Viewers can opt to receive in-browser pop-ups every time something new is posted to the feed, allowing you to stay on top of the latest developments surrounding a major occurrence.
Reddit Live moves citizen journalism forward by creating a news space that is open to public contribution. The all-encompassing format allows contributors to crowdsource information online and display it live for viewers. This highly interactive and democratic style of breaking news aggregation is likely to change the way we read the news forever.
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