STOMP, the User Generated Content (USG) news website, has a main focus – its readers, who are also its contributors. In its first six months of launching, STOMP attracted nearly 7% of Singapore’s total population as visitors. Often contributor’s stories make front page of The Strait Times and are spread through the Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) group.

Readers become a part of the process by sending in stories to  a dedicated mobile number or by email, so no waiting in a phone queue.

Producers edit & rewrite but also check with the contributor, always to their complete satisfaction.

STOMP is about connections. Connecting with their readers through forums, technology & building social networks.

It is so completely about service and something that Western publishing groups should take note of.

Nothing in Australia comes close in content, application, social inclusion or use of technology, especially the mobile phone. With an IFRA award to STOMP, you would think some Aussie media concern would be doing something similar.

STOMP is full of youthful exuberance and incorporates the latest technology, from the use of mobile technology in a singing competition to vlogs & blogs.

There are even classes to educate their contributors in technology applications.

Convergence has been completely incorporated into the site. It creates communities and connects its members. In fact I doubt that there is anything that they have not included as a topic!

Although it is obviously aimed at the youth market, STOMP have found that middle-aged members are on the increase, especially in the citizen journalism section and forum. There is a good mix of youth and experience.

And that gives me some hope for my job prospects …

Every so often a dreamer is born. They don’t listen to their critics, single-minded they will just go out there and follow their dream. After all, aren’t dreams just goals with a face?

In this case, the visionary is Oh Yeon-Ho, CEO of Oh My News, the first Citizen Journalism website.

Armed with an ambitious set of ideals, including gender equality, no age discrimination & power being with the people, Oh Yeon-ho gave new meaning to giving ordinary citizens a ‘voice’ and backed it up with support to ordinary netizens.

Traditional media started to follow his lead by encouraging discussion, especially when papers went online. It became interactive; the public can comment on the story on the website therefore becoming part of the evolving story.

If the writer made front page of OhMyNews, they were paid a small amount & would gain instant credibility through being a featured writer. Money is not driving the contributors to write, it’s more than than that – it’s reputation & recognition. Job satisfaction.

However, “citizen journalism” is not without its potential problems. Maintaining trust, integrity & accuracy is one issue as shown by Jeff Howe when Apple stocks went down after a citizen journalism report on CNN. 

OhMyNews started a Citizen Journalism revolution.

Also the OhMyNews team are forward thinkers. Having restrictions on cross-media ownership in Korea, OhMyNews are pushing live webcasting with uninterrupted content, podcasts & a weekly newspaper. This gives the potential of a a 3 tier approach to media, whilst still using only one platform – the internet.

These timely changes will set OhMyNews up nicely, especially if the Korean Communications Commission comes good with its plans of deregulation of media ownership, so determined are they to become a global media powerhouse.

Maybe this is something Australian officials could take note of?