User generated content has always been important building-blocks for traditional media products –‘letters to the editor’ and ‘family news’ make up valuable sections of newspapers, while radio stations encourage listeners to call in and share their thoughts, feelings, and experiences on air. However, the diffusion of new digital technology and its adoption by media corporations have vastly increased the speed and magnitude of user participation in the media production process. This development has been particularly visible in online newspapers. Based on longitudinal data from the Swedish media market, this paper describes the growing integration of user generated content in online newspapers. The findings show that not only does the quantity of user generated content grow, but users are also involved at earlier stages in the journalistic production process. In the light of a recent wave of measures to regain control over user generated content, questions are raised about editorship, responsibility, and the extent to which user generated content can or should be managed. Drawing on contemporary branding theory we ask – are media brands going out of control?