[Keyword: online journalism]. Chris Shaw gives a good overview of the state of ‘UGC’ (as he usefully truncates it). Taster quote:

“Half the appeal of these UGC sites is their unofficial DIY status. Every time one is swallowed up by an international corporate media giant it risks losing the “unauthorised” vibe that gives it so much credibility with its natural clientele.

“Despite this cultural tension, old-style broadcasters are interacting creatively with the new media bootleggers and geeks and both parties seem happy to cannibalise one another at the moment.”