Is Citizen Journalism Revolutionising Traditional News Reporting in France?

Citizen journalism offers an alternative perspective to traditional news channels. It empowers everyday people to lead the narrative through the power of their personal reporting. A startup that stands out in this space in France is Croudspark France, formerly known as Citizenside. This Paris-based news agency invites content contributions from independent and amateur reporters, fostering an environment of participatory journalism.

Founded in 2005 by Julien Robert, Philippe Checinski, and Matthieu Stefani, Citizenside managed to gather the attention of significant investors in the early stage of its existence, including Agence France Presse (AFP) and Xavier Gouyou Beauchamps’ holding. Despite periods of financial difficulty, the platform’s unique concept allowed it to survive and even thrive, eventually being acquired by Matilda Media, and later Crowdspark – hence the current name.

Key Takeaways:

• CrowdSpark France, formerly Citizenside, is a leading player in the field of citizen journalism.
• Founded in 2005, the company sells news-related content contributed by amateur and independent reporters.
• The company fosters community, providing more than 100,000 participants in 150 countries a platform to share and sell their images and reports.
• Images contributed to the platform are licensed to the global media via AFP’s Image Forum, reaching more than 7000 clients worldwide.

What differentiates Crowdspark France from other startups in the industry is its immense community, strategic partnerships, and global reach. With more than 100,000 professional and amateur photographers, freelance journalists, and citizen reporters from 150+ countries contributing to the platform, the generated content is both diverse and extensive. Also, their long-standing strategic partnership with The Press Association, the UK and Ireland’s national news wire and multimedia agency, further solidifies their standing in the industry.

A second differential is the licensing process for images contributed to the platform. Leveraging the relationship with Agence France-Presse, images are made available to a vast global client base, providing exposure for contributors and a diverse visual offering for consumers. This practice uniquely positions their marketplace within the industry.

The future of Crowdspark France appears to be promising and, in essence, mirrors the evolution and growth of citizen journalism globally. The rise in technological advancements, coupled with an increasingly interconnected world, offers the potential for ever more diverse and real-time contributions to the platform. This, in turn, provides a rollercoaster ride of possibilities for the future of news reporting and how news is consumed.

Furthermore, Crowdspark can serve as a benchmark for aspiring citizen journalism platforms across the EU looking to revolutionise traditional news reporting channels. For more information about Crowdspark France, visit their website at http://citizenside.com and Linkedin.