Dan Gilmore’s just published book, We The Media: Grassroots Journalism By The People, For The People, is a wake up call. I read some chapters when it was a work in progress earlier this year– on the Web. Chapters are still readable online, here.

Slashdot’s review states:

We the Media should be required reading in journalism schools for students and professors. I’m serious. If you’re a publisher, editor, or an actual breathing reporter, and you want to get up to speed on what is happening to your profession, you need to read this book.

Gilmore’s blog, at the OReilly site is worth a visit for a look at the state of the industry of ‘citizen journalism.’ His other blog, at the San Jose Mercury News covers a broader range of topics.

But encouraging non-journalists to report on breaking stories is sounding less radical today. BBC Online is typically seeking out MoBloggers. Got a story for the Beeb? If you “found yourself in the right place at the right time” as they say, (and you had your cheap-camera phone with you) send them a 640 X 480 pixel picture, using this number: 004407970885089.