Armenia has great potential in user content development
BarCamp two-day informal conference, June 9-10, was held in Yerevan with the support of the leading Russian news agency RIA Novosti. This fourth conference assembled IT experts, software developers, engineers, blogers, online journalists and activists in social networks. The conference participants discussed a broad range of issues related to online technologies, programming, engineer innovative solutions and development of social media. Internet Project Promotion Director, Deputy Promotion and Social Media Director at RIA Novosti Russian news agency Lana Pinyaeva made a presentation on “Internet Media Audience: yesterday, today, tomorrow.” Novosti-Armenia correspondent interviewed Ms. Penyaeva.
Novosti-Armeniya- Ms. Penyaeva, quite recently Yandex audience has hit over that of Channel One, thereby a question arises: does it mean that television is falling by the wayside ?
L. Pinyaeva- The fact that television is falling by the wayside is true, this is one of the trends, but I wouldn’t compare Yandex audience with television, as Yandex is a more search service. Television, yes, is falling by the wayside, as today internet has its own television, which I can watch when I feel like. And the range of functions is much broader.
But, of course, it is clear that television will not absolutely fade out within the next 20 years, its popularity will just be falling, and that’s why each media should broadcast on each platforms convenient for users. Hereby, if you have a TV company, make sure to have your own channels on YouTube, RuTube and Facebook, and also your own website which I can visit fr om my computer or some gadget. Haul yourself everywhere, and I will watch you.
Novosti-Armenia- What do you think, which types of media, new or traditional, have major impact on modern audience?
L. Pinyaeva- Rallies in Moscow show that all things like that are reported in social networks. But it is noticed only in large cities, wh ere there is huge access to Internet network. And what refers to regions, people trust Channel One, and it is the main information source there.
Internet networking that implies spread of social networks either is growing pretty well in Russia. But still we understand that that social networks are principal information sources for people who live in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novosibirks and other large cities.
Novosti-Armenia- You mentioned rallies, what role do social networks play during the rallies and protests, and how well can they be trusted?
L. Pinyaeva- In our case, the rallies were organized in the social networks, and it took place in our country for the first time. And even though many people justify organizing demonstrations and say that the society has much dissatisfaction to express, but still social networks appeared as a catalyst.
And what refers to trust, users can visit only those media websites which are ready to choose, verify, conveniently correspond and give us some complete product from the series of “What is speculated on rallies in social networks.” And in this case it is possible to receive reliable and verified information.
Novosti-Armenia- During your presentation you spoke about RIA Novosti's YouReporter successful project, based on user content. What role, in your opinion, does user content play today, and what are its risks?
L. Pinyaeva- User content, actually, plays a very important role. It is a chance to tell us, mass media, what is actually going on ,as maybe we don’t know something. As a matter of fact, this refers not only to some large incidents everyone knows about. Very often we get information about some local stories and injustices.
And what about risks: we can always face a danger of disinformation. Users are not responsible for the materials which they give us. We have nearly 10 civil journalists whom we completely trust, and whose information we can publish without verifying. But majority of those people who send us information are some unknown individuals.
Novosti-Armenia- And how is it possible to minimize risks?
L. Pinyaeva- For instance, we ask to send videos shot on the ground, look for some other witnesses, make requests for some official comments from authorities and other structures. Also our correspondents help us to verify the information.
Novosti-Armenia- Should Armenia expand and develop user content network?
L. Pinyaeva- Absolutely, the potential is pretty high. The audience today must be involved into content producing, people do not want just to read news, they wish to participate somehow in its production. That is why I think that the potential is very high at Armenian market either.—0-
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15:02 06/13/2012
