Americans’ trust in news media is at an all-time low. But local news is the source people trust the most. Now there’s an app called Fresco that could complicate that. Local news stations around the country are using it to outsource the gathering of news footage to anyone with a smartphone. VICE News’ Elle Reeve went to Alaska to find out more.

Fresco is a lot like Uber. But unlike similar apps where you request a car, takeout, or a even a dog walker, Fresco puts a call out for a photojournalist. A newsroom posts a request for video of, say, a crime scene, and a Fresco user in the area can accept, take a video of it, and upload it to Fresco. If the news outlet uses it, the Fresco user gets paid $50.

Check out the full story on Vice News Tonight.

Role
Cinematography

Full Credits
Producer: Josh Davis
Reporting: Elspeth Reeve
Cinematography: Zach Caldwell, Jessey Dearing
Associate Producer: Quinton Boudwin