Web 2.0 spreading to radio and TV

If you're not quite sure what Web 2.o is, watch Mike Wesch's video about the evolution of the Web first.

Are you back? Pretty neat, isn't it?

Anyway, so Web 2.0 is about the democratization of the Internet. It's taking the authority from the hands of The Man and giving it back to the people. It's about speaking directly to one another rather than being constrained to listen to manufactured truths. It's blogging and Facebook and hundreds of other sites that rely on user-generated content (UGC) for substance. This trend has become so prevalent that corporations are now finding ways to channel the power of UGC sites to help soften their perceived hard exteriors and encourage a more soft'n'fuzzy image.

What's amazing is that this trend has also spread to radio and TV. Although it's more widespread in the United States, television and radio stations now actively encourage their viewers/listeners to send in images and footage of notable events. Other media are now turning to UGC to boost their content and increase their popularity with the common folk. It's not surprising as the media continues to be inundated by criticism over a plethora of issues spanning the coverage of the war in Iraq to paparazzi-fuelled sensationalism to the spread of fear-mongering by news networks.

What better way for radio and TV to endear themselves to their public than by validating the contributions of that public? By letting the public play a role in shaping the news being broadcast to millions?

After all, with a greater share of TV and radio audiences migrating over to the Internet for all their information, educational, entertainment and purchasing needs, they needed to do something to bring back their bread and butter.

But we can't call it Web 2.0 if it's on TV and radio... I wonder if Mike Wesch has any suggestions?