We’ve had a lively conversation in the posting, “Is hyperlocal and citizen journalism enough?” A key question under debate: What’s a viable business model these days for a local news operation that may have elements of citizen journalism but is informed by professional standards?
This seems like a good point to bring into the conversation ideas from outside of Olympia. So I’ll be presenting some interesting links. I’m pretty busy this week so expect this material to show up in stages.
Let’s start by checking out a “Future of journalism” panel discussion hosted by The Well — one of the pioneers of the Internet revolution. An eclectic panel of seven practicing journalists and scholars doesn’t provide nuts-and-bolts answers to those who seek to build a viable online alternative to The Olympian. However, this is a context-rich discussion that powerfully illustrates the fundamental shift that is going on in the news media right now.
I’d also invite you to check out The Well’s complete list of panel discussions. This is an intriguing model. Is there a local entity that might plausibly start offering these discussions? For example, how about an Evergreen “virtual” extension program?
Emmett O'Connell (@emmettoconnell)
November 8, 2011
It seems like small online only community sites are better at hyperlocal advertising:
http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2011/11/07/chs-beats-seattle-times-and-king-tv-at-something-puny-and-insignificant
Mathias Eichler (@einmaleins)
November 8, 2011
I moved my responses from Everyday Olympia to LiveLifeLoud, my personal blog, since they are opinions.
http://livelifeloud.com
Emmett O'Connell (@emmettoconnell)
November 8, 2011
Also, I’d be interested in working on something trying to approximate a local version of Digital Journalism Portland: http://journopdx.com/about-us/
Rob Richards
November 9, 2011
I like DJP, but it looks like it’s ceased to be.
I like the idea of these neighborhood hyperlocal blogs, but they only seem to work in bigger neighborhoods with a larger pool of volunteers with various affinities. In Olympia, we haven’t been able to make it work so much. Yet. I think creating an organizational structure first would be ideal, rather than the typical approach of just slapping it up and hoping people get involved.
If we’re talking about replacing The Olympian, then neighborhood blogs ain’t it. Replacing the Olympian means covering the entire city; City government, State capital news, local sports, events – total coverage. That means reporters and editors that can be responsive to breaking news, and a business model that can sustain them. In my opinion, a volunteer run and managed organization will not ever be able to compete.