The Chicago-based Barrington Broadcasting Group is implementing Cell Journalist, a tool for uploading viewer content, to its TV stations in 14 markets.
The system allows anyone with a cell phone, digital camera or video recorder to upload images and recordings of breaking news events. It was developed in 2005 and is currently being used by more than 60 media outlets in the United States.
"Today's media consumer is more technologically-savvy and seeks to be engaged in the news gathering process," said David Buonfiglio, Barrington’s president of interactive. "This new partnership with the category leader in UGC will further involve our viewers in the gathering, sharing and experiencing process and it keeps our stations at the leading edge of technology in our markets."
Barrington plans to use the Cell Journalist system to acquire viewer contributions of both community events and breaking news stories. The
The Barrington Broadcasting Group operates 21 television stations in 15 U.S. markets.
