It has been written on Newassignment that citizen journalism arrived in 2007, but I believe 2008 will be the year it really find its voice in the media universe. CJ and social media sites currently have a news component, but have a broad scope of news coverage. Sites such as OhMyNews, Newsvine, and Nowpublic feature a variety of different topics. But unlike traditional media, online media does not have to be all things to all people. Instead it can have a niche.

A year ago this month two news events took place that dominated the headlines for weeks. First, Anna Nicole Smith died. Then, a few days later, Britney Spears shaved her head. What the media missed during those few weeks in February of 2007 was significant. While CNN sent out contact ‘breaking news e-mail alerts’ on the medical examiners report on Anna Nicole, it oped not to run the following stories, and here are their exact headlines: “5 U.S. Soldiers Die in Iraq Bomb Blasts,” “Iran warns U.S. against any attack,” “UN aid chief warns of ‘humanitarian collapse’ in Darfur.”

Clearly, something was adrift in media. I was angry, so too was my brother, who proposed we do something about it. Thus, iConflict.com was born, and in one month from this week, the site will be up and running.

What is iConflict.com? The site is dedicated to reporting on international conflicts and crises. Unlike other social media sites, it will not aggregate all the news of the day (from Britney to Baghdad). Instead the focus is always on conflict. Users on the site can submit news stories for our other users to read. Since we are proponents of citizen journalism, users can also create their own news casts or video productions which will air on the site. Any images taken from cameras or cell phones can also be posted and discussed with our online community of users. As a social media site we hope users will connect with other link-minded people. We will also be producing a regular report on international conflicts that will be featured on our homepage. Over time, we’ll add more features as well, and hope to get large contributions of content directly from our users.

As a precursor to iConflict, our blog is now up and running, called Blogflict. (http://blog.iconflict.com). At the blog we look at current international conflicts as well as changes in media. Through the blog and other outreach efforts, we’ve already built a database of users from over 35 different countries who are excited to provide the site with content and to read content from other users.

It won’t be long now until iConflict launches and helps to empower people all over the world to report, contribute and share information on the truly important events of our time.

Unlike other social media news sites, ours is very focused. We aren’t covering Britney Spears, we aren’t covering sports, gossip or news oddities. This site is about conflict and about empowering people to share and learn more about them.

The blog that I am running now, which is a precursor to iConflict, is a hybrid of news on citizen journalism, mainstream media failings, as well as coverage of international conflicts. I’ve noticed the posts that get the most traffic for the site usually occur when I critique the media, like when I wrote about how the media completely misinterpreted Bill Clinton’s ‘fairy tale’ comment on Obama, or recommendations for how the media should cover and not forecast the outcome of elections. Also, we’ve been able to find stories that the media has ignored, such as the recent unseasonable floods in Zambia that have displaced thousands, which scientists say is a result of global warming.

iConflict is a social media network slated to launch online in late February of 2008. The site will be dedicated to empowering people to share information, and discuss conflicts and crises, wherever they arise. We are in communication with international relief organizations, not-for-profits, and global activists like you to become a part of this tremendous collaborative effort.

Now, people you network and connect with: activists, citizen journalists, first responders, relief workers, volunteers, citizens living amidst conflicts, or those interesting in learning more or helping can share their experiences with the world by uploading images and videos to iconflict.com, from their computers, cameras or cell phones. They can also blog about daily life from their vantage point, and become a part of the iConflict blogging network, called Blogflict. Users can upload news stories, comment on posted stories and use their voice to engage in an active dialogue on news events with our other online community members.

A myriad of other features will exist on the site. These include: originally produced video newscasts that will be syndicated on itunes and youtube, online discussion and commentary on user submitted news stories, interactive data mashups on countries in conflict, applications on external social networking sites, and other innovations that will make iConflict the premiere destination for users seeking information on international conflicts.

I hope that is helpful in giving you some information about our site. Let me know if you have any other questions. I look forward to hearing back from you,