So much for Skoeps

Michael Hedges May 4, 2008

Talpa Digital and PCM Media turned off the lights at citizen journalism website Skoeps. It just couldn’t find that “sustainable business model,” said Reuters. In other words: welcome to the web!

The announcement was made via email Friday afternoon (May 2). “The ambition of the news site was partially successful, but Skoeps did not succeed in developing a financially healthy perspective,” it said. Lots of website ideas become popular, some wildly. Popularity, or even usefulness, doesn’t necessarily translate into that sustainable business model.

Skoeps arrived in 2006, eventually financed by two of the smartest media companies in Europe. The idea was to connect anybody with a mobile phone camera and video of a news story with the mainstream media (MSM), getting the MSM to pay, Skoeps keeping 50%.  Citizen journalists signing up were provided a mobile phone and a Skoeps press card. About 7500 signed up, posting between 1000 and 1500 clips monthly.

The plan was ambitions and there was even a partnership in Africa. Early in March Skoeps announced plans to further monetize the site by charging websurfers to view the video clips. Enough is, apparently, enough: Skoeps folds Monday, May 5.

“Luckily nobody was killed,” says new media expert Jonathan Marks. “I am glad Skoeps has gone because it encouraged members of the public to take risks - some of which were unacceptable in my view - like trying to get close to fires or incidents when health and safety were at risk.”  ‘Citizen journalism’ and ‘user generated content’ are terms invented by journalists, he points out, “but the original authors were for responsible use of the material.”

Both ideas have resonance with mainstream media executives, at least in theory. As with much that has come from new media, public participation in the journalistic process has a democratic appearance. Some like that idea and some don’t. Others have a more opportunistic view.

This one failed.

The initiative in Africa – called Voices of Africa – illustrates, however, the promise of citizen journalism. Skoeps provided the mobile technology developed by Talpa Digital. Similar to the Dutch venture, Voices of Africa provides high-end mobile devices to selected citizen journos as well as a fair amount of training. Video, still pictures and text are uploaded to the AfricaNews.com site. The project is limited to countries with GPRS mobile service.

The mobile phone is transforming journalism, and media in general, in Africa. Broadcasters encourage their listeners to call in with on-the-spot reports, often airing live. It can sound chaotic, something new media does best. But in regions where the activity of daily life borders on the chaotic, and often crosses that line, engaging this participation advances the role of more traditional media outlets as giant message boards.

By all reports, the Voices of Africa project will not be affected by Skoeps’ closure.

Africa - Media made to order - ftm Knowledge file

Africa's media touches its 57 countries and the rest of the world with every possible challenge. From the abuse of dictators to amazing development and the rise of new media African media has its own texture and context. Contains 20 articles and ftm Resources. 62 pages PDF (January 2008)
Free to ftm Members, others from €39
Order

We're Going Mobile - but where are we going? - ftm Knowledge file

Mobile TV, mobile radio, mobile internet in Europe, Asia and the US. What's real and what's not. While mobile media investment soars where are the consumers? 81 pages PDF (November 2007)
Free to ftm Members, others from €39
Order

Media in Spain - Diverse and Challenged – new

Media in Spain is steeped in tradition. yet challenged by diversity. Publishers hold great influence, broadcasters competing. New media has been slow to rise and business models for all are under stress. Rich in language and culture, Spain's media is reaching into the future and finding more than expected. 123 pages, PDF. January 2018

Order here

The Campaign Is On - Elections and Media

Elections campaigns are big media events. Candidates and issues are presented, analyzed and criticized in broadcast and print. Media is now more of a participant in elections than ever. This ftm Knowledge file reports on news coverage, advertising, endorsements and their effect on democracy at work. 84 pages. PDF (September 2017)

Order here

Fake News, Hate Speech and Propaganda

The institutional threat of fake news, hate speech and propaganda is testing the mettle of those who toil in news media. Those three related evils are not new, by any means, but taken together have put the truth and those reporting it on the back foot. Words matter. This ftm Knowledge file explores that light. 48 pages, PDF (March 2017)

Order here

More ftm Knowledge files here

Become an ftm Individual or Corporate Member to order Knowledge Files at no charge. JOIN HERE!