This week I discovered the Straits Times online mobile and print (STOMP) site. In some ways this site, which complements the more serious and staid Straits Times, mirrors the OhmyNews phenomenon (see my Week 5 post for more on OhmyNews).

But STOMP cleverly merges user-generated content with traditional journalism in a different way. It allows ordinary citizens to send in photos, news tips, even whole stories (in almost any format you can imagine), which are then re-worked by qualified journalists/producers.

The STOMP crew even allow the tipster to review the story and make changes if necessary. This idea freaked the hell out of me – in many cases where I’ve allowed someone to “check” my story they have taken it as an opportunity to nit-pick the crap out of it, resulting in tons of emails and phone calls back and forth.

Yet STOMP editor Jennifer Lewis says the initial petty complaints have slowed and the option creates a new kind of power in reporting. I guess it would be nice to know one could achieve 100 per cent accuracy with a little help from citizen journos.

But the truly great things about STOMP is its unassuming attitude about what constitutes news. The ‘about us‘ page puts it simply: 

“We want STOMP to become a forum of lively discussion – whether the topics are weighty national issues or where to get the best bak chor mee.”

Now there’s a way to appeal to all.

UPDATE (SEPTEMBER 26): For a more scathing (and rather funny) look at STOMP, check out this post by ALJ301 student Michael.