Thomson Reuters plans to "roll out a major social media coverage package "to enhance its coverage of the World Economic Forum which begins tomorrow in Davos, Switzerland. Reporters will use Twitter and YouTube to share video and updates from the Forum.

According to Mark Jones, global community editor at Thomson Reuters, "We want to turn the coverage around, by asking delegates what they think the biggest issues facing the global economy are, then use social media to let the public offer their opinion."

CNN used social media, such as Facebook, to cover Barack Obama's inauguration. In addition, Twitter has proved effective in breaking news faster than most agencies, the most recent example being the plane crash in the Hudson River in New York City.

AFP is reporting that MySpace and YouTube are sending two "citizen reporters" to the Forum to do online video coverage. This highlights the shift towards user generated content in combination with new media.

The Financial Times is also planning to cover the WEF through new media, including video coverage, guest bloggers, and a dedicated Twitter feed.

Source: New Media Age, FT Press Release, AFP