Fergus Bell is an experienced digital journalist, editor and leading expert in digital newsgathering and the verification of user-generated content by news media. He is also a prominent advocate for higher industry standards relating to the ethical uses of UGC and social media.
Fergus has experience in both the business and editorial sides of the industry, most recently heading up newsroom partnerships and innovation for SAM desk, a social newsgathering tool for newsrooms. Fergus joined SAM from the Associated Press where, as international social media and UGC editor, he led the global operation to source and verify user-generated content for all of the AP’s platforms.
In October 2013 Fergus co-founded a committee for the Online News Association that has brought together leaders in the journalism community to explore the ethics and standards of UGC and digital newsgathering for the news industry. He is also founding member of the First Draft News coalition of UGC experts supported by the Google News Lab. Fergus is a graduate of the University of Leeds.