As individuals become more involved in the newsgathering process, Myra Hunt, Head of New Media BBC World Service, says the BBC has introduced a range of interactive services in response to changing audience needs
There is a quiet revolution going on here at the BBC. It may, as yet, have gone largely unnoticed but, in response to audience needs, the way in which we find and report news is changing totally.
While we still rely on our correspondents and reporters all over the world, more and more news stories are now being broken by people just going about their daily lives. Modern technology – a mobile phone with a camera or a digital camera and access to the internet – has provided us all with the tools to report a story.
Some of the most powerful footage from the Asian tsunami, later broadcast all around the world, was shot by holiday- makers not professional cameramen.
And the first images, published on the BBC website, of the bus destroyed in the London bombings on 7 July came from a bystander’s mobile phone.
People around the world are becoming much more actively involved in news reporting.
Have Your Say
Millions now write ‘blogs’, or internet diaries, in which they can comment on the news and stories that interest them and respond to remarks left by readers.
BBC World Service has responded to these changes by improving its websites and launching new radio programmes that engage with this growing enthusiasm among audiences. “Have Your Say” is the title under which our new interactive services appear.
The Have Your Say website has been made faster and more robust. Every week, Have Your Say receives thousands of emails from around the world. Users of Have Your Say are now being asked to register so that their comments can be published directly onto the site.
They will also be able to agree with comments made by other users, and the comments that receive the highest ranking will then be displayed most prominently on the site.
Making global conversation real
And BBC World Service has launched a new radio programme aimed at bringing people around the world together to engage in stimulating conversation about anything that interests them. World, Have Your Say is on air five days a week.
“We’re making global conversation real,” says Editor Mike Sandell. “As a programme, we deal in opinion, debate and comment – and if you don’t have an opinion, you will have by the end of the programme. And if you do have an opinion, expect it to be challenged.
“Listeners can interact with the programme by phone, email or via its website. Our audience guides us – as far as possible – as to what’s discussed. The presenter will act as a ‘conductor’, getting everyone around our virtual table talking to each other.”
Anu Anand, already familiar to listeners of The World Today on BBC World Service, presents the new programme three times a week. Steve Richards, who presents for the rest of the week, is Chief Political Commentator for The Independent newspaper and writes a weekly column.
Harnessing a new desire
As well as following up comments and ideas that are posted on the website, World, Have Your Say – versions of which are also broadcast in Spanish and Arabic – provides a forum within which world leaders can respond to these comments and address audience concerns live on air. A special Sunday edition addresses the major news issue of the week.
Also part of the Have Your Say initiative, Africa, Have Your Say is now being broadcast daily to listeners in Africa, addressing issues that concern them.
The radio programme will also be available on the internet, so people around the world who are interested in Africa can express their opinions and have these views heard by African audiences.
The BBC – and, in particular, the global and multi-lingual BBC World Service – is harnessing this new desire by people around the world to communicate about their lives, the news and the issues affecting them.
In an increasingly connected and interdependent world, the BBC has a key role to play in facilitating that dialogue and exchange of views. These new programmes and services aim to do just that.
World, Have Your Say was first broadcast on 31 October 2005 and is on air five days a week at 1800 GMT in all regions.
bbcnews.com/haveyoursay
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