Ireport.com - Unedited Unfiltered News

iReport, a new extension of CNN, marks the most sanctioned step a big news organization has taken towards legitimizing citizen journalism. Of course, when a station needs some extra video footage they turn to the masses, and YouTube has been making strides at housing newscasts shot by everyday people, but iReport provides users with the tools and tips for uploading their own news segments. Submitted videos run the gamut from political commentary to musings about New York weather. Stories are rated in a variety of ways (most popular, “newsiest”), and by author, all with the promise of showcasing unfiltered, uncensored content.

“Welcome to a brand new beta site for unfiltered, uncensored user-powered news. CNN is providing the tools. You take it from there! Report, upload and comment on the stories you find most interesting and important. The views, coverage and content on the site are all yours - not CNN's! So, go ahead, have at it!”

iReport is likely to draw lots of visitors (and ideally participation) via by the popularity of CNN, and the press that the site has been receiving. The possibility to have stories featured on CNN (often the “newsiest” ones have appeared on air) is another incentive to participate.

What really distinguishes these segments from those on YouTube? It seems like CNN is not utilizing its news expertise aside from employing its brand name.