This looks like an interesting new service. With the increase in camera phones and digital cameras, more and more pictures from bystanders are being used in news items. Scoopt is, in effect, an agent for people who want to sell their phonecam shots to the media. I’m in two minds about it. It’s great to imagine an army of “citizen journalists” taking their pictures and telling the truth about events. However, Scoopt is selling to the traditional media, who are only going to buy and use the photos they want. So I could upload the shot of Police beating an innocent bystander at a demo and find my image on the front of the Sun under the headline “Anarchist scum gets what he deserves”.

I’ve signed up anyway. On the off chance that I shoot something newsworthy it’s a possible income.

via BoingBoing

Technorati tag: Phonecam, Media