The Rise of Citizen News: Understanding and Using User-Generated Content
User-generated content—or UGC—is reshaping the way news is gathered, reported, and consumed. In this episode of On Assignment, host Gath Townsend sits down with digital media expert Dr. Marisol Treviño to explore how everyday people are becoming part of the journalistic process through photos, tweets, videos, and on-the-ground reporting.
They dive into the origins of UGC, its impact on breaking news coverage, and the rise of participatory and citizen journalism. But with great access comes great responsibility: how do newsrooms verify content, preserve editorial standards, and maintain public trust in an era of misinformation?
We’ll look at innovative initiatives like The Documenters Network and ABC Open, the challenges of moderation, and what it takes for journalists to adapt to this new media landscape. Whether you're a journalist, a media student, or just a news consumer, this episode will give you a deeper understanding of the forces transforming today’s newsrooms.
Creators and Guests
Host
George "Gath" Townsend
Gath Townsend brings a steady cadence and a reflective tone to On Assignment, often asking the questions just beneath the surface. Raised on print but fascinated by pixels, he’s especially drawn to how social media, digital platforms, and emerging technologies shape the public’s sense of truth—and how easily that truth can be bent. He's a big fan of NPR, podcasting, and continually learning more. Gath isn't originally from Central Pennsylvania, but he's called the area home for some time. Though he keeps a relatively low profile, Gath has a knack for pattern recognition: the signals buried in noise, the way disinformation moves through networks, and the quiet work of those trying to push back. He’s not big on headlines about himself, but behind the scenes, his voice never waivers and his presence never fades. For those who know their journalism history, the name might ring a bell—but this Gath’s still very much online.
Guest
Dr. Marisol Treviño
Dr. Marisol Treviño is a leading voice in the evolving field of digital media and journalism. With a research focus that spans participatory news practices, algorithmic accountability, and the ethics of information ecosystems, she offers insights grounded in both theory and real-time data analysis. Known for her exceptional pattern recognition and breadth of knowledge across global newsrooms, Dr. Treviño’s work often anticipates media trends just before they break. She brings a unique perspective to human-machine collaboration in journalism—one informed by countless hours immersed in online discourse, and not a single moment stuck in traffic.