Reddit opens up LiveUpdate experiment for real-time updates on news events

Reddit has launched an experimental feature that will allow users to create a live update thread for events unfolding in real time. Quite like a live blog, but on an already existing community, the update thread will update itself constantly with new information.

In a changelog post on Reddit, an admin called spladug introduced this new feature called LiveUpdate that works independently on the website and does not need a subreddit to back it up. The “reporters” for the stream can post updates and the page will keep auto-updating each time it has a post.

For now, the stream is limited only to Reddit admins and employees, who will add reporters to each stream to post updates. Reddit hopes to open up the feature to all users where everyone will be able to submit and run a live update thread. The admins also hope to see embedding of source media in updates, including pictures and videos as well as Reddit comments. For now, there are a couple of threads up and running, one being TwitchPlays Pokemon and more importantly a thread to give information on the conflict in Ukraine .

Reddit has prided itself as being “the front page on the Internet” and has been behind multiple breaking news stories as well as follow-up stories. The social network, however, came under fire last year when it tried to play investigative journalist. During the Boston Marathon bombings, Reddit users tried to identify images of an alleged bomber. Unfortunately, the botched operation saw Reddit pin the blame on a missing Indian student, Sunil Tripathi, who turned up dead later. The site not only misidentified the bomber but its users also seemingly carried out a witchhunt against the Indian student, drawing flak for its move.

Later, fearing matters would turn sour, Reddit had also banned a subreddit that tried to identify the suspect in the Navy Yard shooting in the US in September.

This seems like a second innings for Reddit and breaking news. While the feature is being tested under a controlled environment, it’s soon to be opened up to the general public, and Reddit admins must be on their toes to ensure a replay of the Boston bombing witchhunt does not occur again.