Regulating UGC
Should news organizations edit user-generated content?
Some people fear what users might say in their online posts.
Gahran says most news organizations are either ignoring the content or using a heavy handed approach to regulating content.
She suggests editors should step in when a contentious issue arises and try to set forth a constructive dialogue.
If users recognize that the news organization is trying to be constructive in their approach to an issue, they too will make an effort to be constructive.
Comments
Current legal case law (Roommates.com) really encourages UGC sites to take a hands-off approach to editing content because after editing you become a “publisher” and liable for the content.
UGC is an off/on proposition...it’s either live or dead on the site at MyTopiaCafe.com.
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