This document discusses a research project to develop a user-generated Canadian music wiki in partnership with the CBC and a journalism school. The wiki aims to harness collective intelligence to create an online resource about Canadian music produced collaboratively using wiki software. The document provides context about the CBC's online strategy and choice of CBC Radio 3 as a partner due to its mandate to support Canadian culture and use of social media. It outlines the development process including investigating wiki platforms, designing collaborative features, and developing community outreach. Challenges discussed include balancing openness with editorial oversight, attracting a critical mass of contributors, and funding innovation during budget cuts. The goal is to innovate at the edges while minimizing financial costs and editorial risks.

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Wikifying the CBC
Alfred Hermida, Assistant professor
Amanda Ash, Graduate student
UBC Graduate School of Journalism

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About the project
 Research and develop a user-generated,
participatory online resource on Canadian
music, produced by Canadians, using
collaborative wiki software
 Partnership between media organization,
journalism school and state funding agency
 Explore how a public service broadcaster can
incorporate models of collective intelligence
within established patriarchal models of media

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The Canadian context
 CBC as “a corporate Titanic on
the verge of capsizing”
 Raboy, 1996
 Strategy “to create a critical
mass of content and services
to ensure that Canadians can
never be relegated to a back
corner of the web”
 Beatty, 1998
 Online as a space “dominated
by a few multinational
companies that have managed
to extend control based on
their existing dominance”
 Silverstone, 2007
 Online strategy to be “the
most important and popular
source of Canadian news,
information and entertainment
content”
 Galipeau, 2006

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Why CBC Radio 3
 Mandate to promote Canadian
culture through emerging
technologies to reach
Canadians
 Social and collaborative media
features promoted on its
existing website
 Award-winning service
described as the “virtual
community for the nation’s
independent culture”
 Whyte, 2004
 CBC Radio 3 “among the
country’s best kept web-based
secrets”
 Belanger & Andreche, 2009

5. + The development of the
Canadian Music Wiki

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Creating the wiki
 Work at CBC in Vancouver
with the Radio 3 web team
 Investigate wiki software
 Envision the design and
collaborative features to
include at launch
 Develop outreach and
community plan

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Wikidesign

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Discussion:
Technology
 Tap collective intelligence of
the audience
 Issues of resources/funding
 CBC as the facilitator of
content, rather than creator of
content

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Discussion:
Content/community
 Balance openness with
editorial checks and balances
 Critical mass of contributors
 Existing base of ‘power users’
of CBC Radio 3

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Discussion:
Culture
 Open and collaborative
approach of CBC Radio 3
 Mandate to support and
promote Canadian culture
 Music as a social experience

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Discussion:
Economics
 Funding innovation at time of
cutbacks
 Journalism schools as a
catalyst for media innovation
 Teaching hospital model of
professional education

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Limitations
 Wiki not yet launched
 Canadian context
 Personal bias

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Conclusion
 Innovate at the edges
 Minimise editorial risk
 Minimise financial cost
 Radio as an online
collaborative experience

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Thank you
@hermida – http://reportr.net
@amandaash – http://theindiefiles.com