notes on "reporters in the digital democracy" by Emily Bell

• one of the most profound changes taking place in the mainstream media is the part played in it by the audience
• consumers are now making themselves heard in a rapid move towards the democratisation of media
• over the past three years, speed, volume and type of response made possible from the internet has changed to allow ‘bystanders’ to become more involved
• local papers have always been close to their audiences, more so than national papers eg. ‘village round-up’
• mainstream media must incorporate eyewitness testimonies but also combine these communities with its own work
• what media organisations have to do is make sure their communities have both the right tools to use on their websites and learn how to grow and engage with communities