Transforming Journalism Through Ethical Content Use
In an era where information flows freely, the issue of fair use and proper attribution of journalistic content has never been more critical.
News stories, especially those in the public interest, are frequently republished across various platforms. What’s newsworthy in one community, is often newsworthy in another.
Even when the news may not be of immediate public concern, outdated practices within newsrooms and the culture of competition often lead to content being republished without proper attribution to the original journalist. While this has changed with the advent of a more professionalised independent news sector, it is still problematic.
At Ping! - the Public Interest News Gateway - we confront this issue head-on.
Navigating the Fair Use Dilemma
What constitutes fair use of journalistic content? Ultimately, facts are facts and ideas are ideas and neither are protected under copyright law.
This means that anyone can report on factual information without infringing on copyright. And rightly so. The more factual information there is in the public domain the more informed and engaged we are as a society. However, the situation becomes more nuanced when we delve into the creative aspects of journalism.
Creative Elements in Journalism
News stories are rarely just a bland presentation of facts. They often feature highly personalised and creative sentence and paragraph structures, which contribute to the overall narrative and impact of the story.
Journalists invest their skill, time, and creativity in crafting compelling narratives that engage and inform readers. It is often this, and not the facts of the case, that help them grow and maintain their audiences. And it is precisely these creative elements that copyright law is designed to safeguard.
The Quantitative Aspect
Another key aspect to consider is the quantitative nature of using copyrighted work. Fair use allows for the use of copyrighted material in a limited and transformative way, especially when there is a public interest argument for it. But using too much of the "essence" of a news story—such as whole paragraphs, sentence structures, hard-fought quotes, or expressive parts—can undermine any fair use defence.
Crucially, fair use is not an open invitation to reproduce substantial portions of someone else's work.
But in newsrooms across the UK, this is happening daily. The work of journalists in independent community newsrooms is being used in whole, or in considerable part, uncredited and without permission. Stories are being copied and pasted directly into CMSs without change and additional value being added. The hard work of an independent community journalists is then monetised through clicks, engagement and subscriptions, none of which the original author benefits from.
Ping!: A Revolutionary Approach
In the face of these challenges, Ping! actively addresses the concerns of content republishing and attribution:
Empowering Content Creators: Ping! places a strong emphasis on empowering content creators, specifically, independent community journalists. It provides them with a robust platform for showcasing their work, ensuring their contributions receive the recognition they deserve.
Safeguarding the Public Interest: Ping! acknowledges the significance of public interest stories and their role in keeping communities informed. It actively champions the ethical use of this content, preserving the originality and value of journalistic endeavours.
Disrupting Legacy Practices: In an industry steeped in tradition, Ping! stands as a disruptor. It challenges archaic practices by encouraging responsible content sharing and attribution, fostering a culture of collaboration and respect within the sector.
Bridging the Gap: Ping! serves as a bridge connecting content creators with publishers. It allows publishers to access a diverse range of rich local content on demand while ensuring that the original authors receive their due recognition and compensation for their work.
Promoting Sustainable Journalism: By providing a platform that rewards content creators for their contributions, Ping! plays a vital role in ensuring the sustainability of journalism. This, in turn, guarantees the ongoing availability of quality news content for the public.
The challenges of content attribution and republishing within the news industry persist, but Ping! is boldly confronting these issues.
It's a platform that prioritises responsible content sharing, proper attribution, and the empowerment of content creators.
In the ever-changing media landscape, Ping! strives to be a catalyst for positive change, seeking to contribute to a future where journalism flourishes within a fair and ethical environment.
It doesn't merely offer a remedy for content issues; instead, it aims to play a constructive role in shaping the future of journalism and empowering journalists.
A New Way of Accessing Content
The Ping! platform is more than just a news feed; it's an entirely new workflow in the way regional and national publishers access and utilise local news content. Here's how:
Access rich local content: from every region of the UK, dive into a treasure trove of local stories
Trust and quality assurance: all content adheres to ICNN standards, ensuring credible and trustworthy stories
Drive growth: more clicks and traffic mean increased revenue for your publication
Tailored content: request additional information or commission new content to fit your needs
Diversify and drive traffic: fresh and diverse content keeps your audience engaged and coming back for more
Use with confidence: all content, including images from the Ping! platform, can be freely used
Efficient search and analysis: search by keywords, tags, themes, or locations, and identify emerging trends from the regions
Eco-friendly reporting: save on travel time, CO2 emissions, and costs by using reporters embedded in their communities
Be the first: break local stories as they unfold across the UK
Invest in independent journalism: support local reporting in a completely new and effective way.
For more information about Ping! and how to get involved email info@pingnews.uk.