Scoopt Acquired by Getty Images. New Era of Citizen Journalism Integration.

Getty Images has acquired citizen journalism site Scoopt, which offers to sell user-generated content such as images and blog posts to major publications and share profits with its users. Mashable was the first to break the story, which is now being announced on the Scoopt front page. Getty Images was a first mover in web publishing, and especially with its web presence, among the first companies to carve out a market for photos online and a brokerage system between stock photographers and existing publications within the industry. They are now seeking to delve further into the widening pool of content by including citizen journalist site Scoopt to its repertoire .

 This acquiring of new media into the realms of (somewhat) old media is a nod to the level of acceptance citizen journalism is approaching. The technology available to the average person is exceedingly advanced and the mechanisms by which this content can spread with speed and ease is a new standard. We've officially moved into an era of acceptance when it comes to user-generated content being utilized for traditional media purposes, and we're entering an era of rewarding citizen journalists.

Another citizen journalism service that is extending its reach with a partnership with other niche networks is Citizen Image, which announced their partnership earlier this morning. Other citizen journalism sites that are seeking out the same joys of being bought out are NewsNow, NewsArchive, PlaceAnAd, and others from their family of segmented services.