YouTube Direct targets citizen journalists

YouTube wants to let people better contribute to breaking news stories

YouTube has launched a new service which it hopes will empower ordinary people to break major news stories.

YouTube Direct allows news sites to obtain user-submitted content and repost the videos in news reports. Site administrators can embed an upload application based on YouTube's own tools.

"Built from our APIs, this open-source application lets media organisations enable customised versions of YouTube's upload platform on their own web sites, " the company said in a blog post.

"Users can upload videos directly into this application, which also enables the hosting organisation to easily review video submissions and select the best ones to broadcast on-air and on their web sites."

YouTube said that the service will enable citizen journalists to better contribute to breaking news stories. By allowing news sites to directly manage submissions, the company hopes to cut down on the time it takes for video of news stories to reach readers.

YouTube also suggested that the service could allow enterprises to better connect with customers, and allow users to contribute to public campaigns by sharing their own videos and ideas.

User-driven sites and social networking services have played increasingly important roles in news coverage in recent years. Events such as the protests in Iran and a government crackdown in Burma have relied heavily on videos and reports from citizens within those countries.