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MyVideo solicits guerrilla journalism

Staff Writer
By Staff Writer, ITWeb
Johannesburg, 16 Apr 2007

A new MyVideo service hopes to stimulate "guerrilla journalism" with the offer of cash prizes, says the company's CEO.

Launched late last year, MyVideo offers a video sharing service similar to that offered by YouTube. The beta version can be accessed at www.myvideo.co.za.

The Cape Town-based company said yesterday it would pay South Africans for news content on video that was compelling, relevant and exclusive. As of this morning, its editors will review content MMSed or e-mailed to MyVideo, at zanews@myvideo.co.za.

The video deemed to be most newsworthy will be rewarded with a R1 000 cash prize, featured on MyVideo and promoted with a formal news press release covering the story.

MyVideo CEO Rowan Polovin says the company hopes to stimulate the exchange of content and views.

"We've been happy with some of the content so far, especially the controversial FNB anti-crime advertising and the local Cape Town Flashmob activities. But we want to encourage actively breaking news as it happens."

The hi-tech cellphones available today make that a reality, as the quality of the content is now good enough to MMS or e-mail directly to MyVideo, he notes.

"We think a prize will stimulate guerrilla journos to send content in."

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