Reuters opens 'Second Life' bureau

Reuters is to extend its influence beyond the real world by opening a virtual news bureau in the online world of Second Life.

Second Life members will be able to meet in the virtual Reuters atrium where they can discuss the events of the day while viewing the latest real-world news footage.

London-based reporter Adam Pasick (known as Adam Reuters online) will be the first chief of the virtual bureau. He will be reporting on Second Life's booming virtual economy, as well as relaying real world events to the virtual domain.

If they haven't time to visit the atrim, users will also be able to receive this news via an in-game 'mobile'-style device, known as the Reuters News Centre, which they can carry with them as they explore the virtual world.

A Reuters spokesman explained why the agency felt it was worth having a presence on Second Life. "Reuters has a history of setting up bureaux where people haven't been before," he said.

The move is about Reuters "being there, taking part and learning how it works", he told CNET.co.uk's sister site silicon.com.

Reuters CEO Tom Glocer emphasised that the virtual news bureau was part of the agency's desire to innovate through "new technologies, new audiences, and new ways of presenting the news".

Second Life has more than 900,000 users. Other companies with a presence include CNET Networks, owner of CNET.co.uk, music label Sony BMG and car maker Toyota.

The Reuters virtual news bureau will open for business on Wednesday.