Center for Citizen Media Rotating Header Image

Man on the street reporting: homeless blogger takes reins at blog sponsored by TV station

Headshot of Lisa WilliamsLisa Williams: News2/WKRN, Nashville’s ABC affiliate, has a great ongoing experiment called Nashvilleistalking.com, where WKRN blogger Brittney Gilbert rounds up the best of the local blogosphere and beyond each weekday. Each weekend, the station pays $100 to a local blogger to keep the site ticking over Saturday and Sunday. The site’s most recent weekend host was Kevin Barbieux, who blogs at The Homeless Guy. A clip from his blog entry of July 11:

This morning, I was kicked out of McDonalds. Let me tell you what happened. (The McDonalds at 12th and Broadway.) This morning, like most mornings, after leaving the rescue mission I headed up to McDonalds for coffee, a biscuit when I can afford it. And as usual, when I arrive, this McDonalds is not yet open…

Nashville Is Talking’s tagline is: “Operated and maintained by WKRN as part of our ongoing commitment to listen.” Right on to WKRN and Kevin Barbieux for a great weekend of blogging.

Stay tuned for a conversation with Brittney Gilbert in the Center for Citizen Media’s inaugural podcast.

1 Comment on “Man on the street reporting: homeless blogger takes reins at blog sponsored by TV station”

  1. #1 Amani Channel
    on Aug 17th, 2006 at 7:41 am

    I’m very interested in the citizen journalism movement. I’m a former TV news reporter now working at Black Family Channel (www.blackfamilychannel.com) on a show that will feature segments from citizen journalists. I’m curious to know if people are begining to pick up cameras, and investigating different social issues that aren’t being covered by mainstream media. Thought there are numerous web blogs and print citizen journalism sites, it seems we’re very early on the citizen journalism curve especially when it comes to video news stories. Although sites like YouTube.com now provide an outlet for such content, the big question is, are people savvy enought to produce and create segments/stories that will be both compelling, and informative. Plus there are all of the technical aspects of putting a video story together, shooting the interviews, b-roll, writing, and editing. I think that citizen journalism is an excellent idea but there must be a way to teach and educate the public on the basic aspects of journalism, especially the ethical issues related to the field. The revolution has begun, but how will it evolve?