CNN vs. iReport

There are several differences between the CNN.com news site and its amateur counterpart, iReport. CNN is divided into geographic regions and topics. It is updated regularly and its stories are rotated. CNN is dominated by politically charged material and other hard-hitting subjects. iReport on the other hand, contains material that may not normally be considered newsworthy by mainstream news sources. An example is the weekly report on the goings on in the "Second Life" world. iReport provides more of a social commentary, since amateur writers are submitting materials on more everyday life issues. It is as if CNN is trying to satisfy both the pursuers of serious, professional news and those in search of more relatable and down to earth information.

Jess McClanahan & Marion Herbert