The word "nowpublic" is spelled as /naʊ 'pʌblɪk/. Breaking down the word into its phonetic components, we have "naʊ" which represents the sound "n" followed by the diphthong "aʊ" (as in "cow"). Then there is the sound "pʌ" (as in "cup") followed by "blɪk" (as in "flick" but with a soft "b" sound instead of an "f"). The spelling of the word is a combination of the words "now" and "public," indicating a current state of open accessibility or exposure.
NowPublic was a citizen journalism website that allowed users to contribute and share news stories, photos, and videos. Originally launched in 2005 by Michael Tippett, Leonard Brody, and Michael Meyers, NowPublic aimed to tap into the power of the crowd to report on events and issues that traditional media might overlook. The platform served as a global news network, empowering everyday individuals to become citizen journalists and participate in shaping the news landscape.
NowPublic facilitated the democratization of news production by providing users with the tools and platform to share their firsthand accounts of events, breaking news, and personal stories. It enabled the crowd to contribute diverse perspectives that enriched the media landscape, offering alternative viewpoints and uncovering overlooked stories.
The website functioned as a decentralized newsroom, where ordinary people could contribute and collaborate in real-time. By harnessing the collective intelligence of its global community, NowPublic challenged traditional gatekeeping structures and emphasized the importance of citizen participation in news reporting.
NowPublic leveraged the power of user-generated content to provide a platform for ordinary individuals to transform into reporters, informing the public about significant events and stories. Though the website ceased operations in 2009, NowPublic played a pivotal role in advancing the concept of citizen journalism and pioneering the idea that anyone, regardless of their professional background, could contribute to the news cycle.
The term "NowPublic" is a combination of two words: "now" and "public".
- "Now" comes from the Middle English word "nowe", which originated from the Old English word "nu". This word refers to the immediate present or the current moment in time.
- "Public" comes from the Latin word "publicus", which means "of the people" or "pertaining to the people". This word evolved into "publik" in Old French before adopting its current form in Middle English.
When combined, "NowPublic" suggests the idea of the present moment being shared or made accessible to the public.