The UK's National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has launched a code of practice for publishers of citizen journalism designed to encourage responsible and ethical use of user-generated material.
The union produced the 10-point guide in response to the growing trend among mainstream media of publishing newsworthy photographs and video produced by the public.
Media organisations will be encouraged to sign up to the code and 'educate' their readers about it.
"I hope that media organisations will now include guidance on their websites about the safeguards that all contributors should observe," he told journalism.co.uk.
"The guidance should, at least, cover safety, taste and decency, directions to the laws that reporters must obey, accepting that these do vary from one country to another, with regards to privacy, liabilities and so on."