IReport

This article is about CNN's public journalism. For other uses, see JasperReports.
"i report for CNN" T-shirt.
A T-shirt sent to some iReport contributors

iReport was CNN's citizen journalism initiative that allowed people from around the globe to contribute pictures and video of breaking news stories. It was similar to Wikinews in allowing, and encouraging, ordinary citizens to submit stories, photos and videos related to news of any sort. This ranged from breaking news to a story that a person believed is newsworthy. Submissions were not edited, fact-checked, or screened before they were posted.[1] Stories that were verified were approved for use on all of CNN's platforms. The program was launched on August 2, 2006[2] to take advantage of the newsgathering capabilities of citizens at the scene of notable events. iReport grew out of another related program: CNN's Fan Zone, which allowed viewers to contribute pictures and video from the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.

As of January 2012, there were more than a million registered iReport members. The success of iReport was utilized for specific programs, like the 2007 New Year's Eve coverage featuring iParty in which viewers' photos of their celebrations were shown on television.[3] CNN producers also regularly provided "assignments", for possible inclusion in upcoming coverage.[4]

In January 2015, iReport was moved from direct access on the CNN website, with a dramatic reduction in the number of views for stories.[5] Many of the original senior staff members have moved or departed. In November 2015, CNN officially retired iReport and announced plans to supersede the website with a hashtag, #CNNiReport, through which users can submit news on social media sites including Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.[6]

  1. ^ "About CNN iReport". CNN. Archived from the original on Mar 18, 2011. Retrieved 17 March 2011.
  2. ^ "I-Report turns one year old". CNN. 2007-08-02. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
  3. ^ "I-Report for the New Year". CNN. Retrieved 17 March 2011.
  4. ^ "CNN iReport FAQ/Help". CNN. Archived from the original on Mar 24, 2011. Retrieved 17 March 2011.
  5. ^ Zdanowicz, Christina (15 March 2011). "Meet the million: 999,999 iReporters + you!". CNN iReport Blog. CNN. Archived from the original on Jan 27, 2012. Retrieved 17 March 2011.
  6. ^ Bilton, Ricardo (11 November 2015). "Defeated by social media, CNN overhauls iReport". DigiDay. Archived from the original on Jan 12, 2021. Retrieved 10 January 2021.