Somewhere next week, CNN will start to distribute in-world kits that allow Second Life Residents to send newsworthy items directly to CNN, comparible to their real life i-Reports system. With a minor investement CNN hopes to envolve the Residents, if not only by promoting the news network as a ‘journalism school’ where interaction with CNN’s real life journalists will be possible.

“We looked at what are people doing that is meaningful to what we do,” said Susan Grant, executive vp of CNN News Services. “I love that we don’t have to take things from the real world and force them in.”

In fact, CNN’s aim in establishing the virtual bureau—which required “very little investment,” according to Grant—is to learn. “I don’t think we are betting the whole farm on it,” she said. “It’s one aspect of many ways we are engaging with users.”

I wonder if this - despite the ‘journalism counselling’ will catch on. Reuters is overall accepted as a serious and official news source for Second Life news and residents that wanted to be a reporter could already do so for the Second Life Herald, the Second Life Insider and the Avastar - often in exchange for a small (?) amount of Linden Dollars. And when extremely desperate for being heard, they could start their own blog and call it a newspaper. ;)

Ah well, we’ll see. Nice initiative none the less. =)

via Mediaweek (and Veronique)

Tags: second life press

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