"YouTube Direct" Could be Useful Reporting Tool for Mainstream Media

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Whether user generated  video from the new YouTube Direct will create valuable content for its launch partners including the Washington Post, NPR, Politico and the Huffington Post is too early to say.

But UGC can augment the traditional news gathering operations of big news operations, according to participants at the Beet.TV Online Video Roundtable held earlier this month. Here's a brief rundown:

Olivia Ma, who Manager of News at YouTube explains the program.  

Keith Jenkins, who heads multimedia at NPR, says that the big radio network sees the YouTube program as a means to build community.

Dan Farber, editor in chief of CBSNews.com speaks about the importance of verification of content.  Olivia tells the group that YouTube Direct provides a mechanism to verify the content.

Bill Smee, who heads video at Slate wonders if consumer generated video will be watched. 

Mark Whitaker, NBC News D.C. Bureau Chief, Guardian CEO Caroline Little and Brightcove's Jeff Whatcott explain the power of UGC as a tool to supplement staff reporting. 

Andy Plesser, Executive Producer