The hyperlocal space ; or is it hype about local?Sarah Hartley | Oct 2009 | Digital Editors’ Network

Context Big playersHyperlocal space Small players FutureIntroduction

Today’s talk

• Share some research in the hyperlocal area.

• Prompt some further discussion.

• Ask for your help.

Context Big playersHyperlocal space Small players FutureIntroduction

The hyperlocal space – why now?

• Fast-changing local news landscape.

• Emerging communication tools offering new opportunities for citizens to connect with power.

• Reduction of local journalism due to cuts/closures has created a vacuum.

• An appetite to engage with local issues via blogs.

• Hyperlocal start-ups and crowdsourced initiatives springing up.

Context Big playersHyperlocal space Small players FutureIntroduction

Two major trends

Big players buying up and moving in. Small players emerging.

Designs Small playersHyperlocal space FutureThe big players

What’s happening elsewhere?

• In the US;

• In June, AOL bought Patch for $7 million.

• In August MSNBC acquired EveryBlock

• “Hyperlocal news sites are becoming a hot commodity”. TechCrunch

Small playersHyperlocal space FutureThe big players

Different approaches to the question

• Daily Mail launched 50 community sites in July.

• "These are not small news sites.”

• Intended to be for ‘community interaction’

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Seeking to expand through partnership

• ITN propose ‘grand alliance’

• ITN, Johnston Press, Guardian Media Group and other media groups have entered the consultation process for the consortia first proposed by media regulator Ofcom and subsequently included in the government's Digital Britain report.

Small players Big playersHyperlocal space FutureIntroduction

Seeking financial return

•Trinity Mirror trial hyperlocal advertising solution in the North East.

• Follows on from postcode initiative on Teesside.

Forward together Emerging Future of journalism Introduction

The Guardian signalling beatblogging move

Designs ResearchLocal Next stepsUpdate

Second big trend

• Public organising themselves.

• Collaborative investigations launched.

• Securing funding from 4ip (Channel 4) ...and others.

Forward together Emerging Future of journalism Introduction

Checks on power: Parliamentary

Designs ResearchLocal Next stepsUpdate

Checks on power: Welsh assembly

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Checks on power: Live from the council

Future Small players Hyperlocal space Big players

Checks on power: Political activism

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Carrying out investigations

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Re-defining old formats “Lustings not listings”

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Providing live events coverage

• People’s Voice Media looking to 60 sites across the North West.

• Collaborating with established media – BBC.

Future Small players Hyperlocal space Big players

Taking it to TV: Hyperlocal web TV

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Where does that leave us

Big players

Small PlayersHyperlocal space Future

Where does that leave us?

Big players

“The overriding message to mainstream media was:  Watch your back – we’re filling the void you’re leaving behind!” John Baron

FutureSmall players Hyperlocal space Big players

Response 1

Future Small players Hyperlocal space Big players

Response 2

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What use a journalist?

1. add capacity - phone wrangling during office hours.2. bit more bite – have someone at arms length to tackle more difficult stuff.3. court and crime reporting – in general any specialist reporting where contempt and special rules apply.4. town hall stuff – a well trained journo will have understanding the budget, declarations of interest, expenses, procurement etc5. skills transfer – basic tips for writing to get attention without being sensationalist and the basics of libel etc6. build links – is there a bigger picture from sticking the blogs together?  And in general just network things together a bit.7. broker relationships to syndicate local content – I don’t kid myself that they make any money from my stuff so i don’t expect to be paid.  Might be nice though if the local rag makes a donation to a local charity say for young people every time they lift a piece.

FutureSmall players Hyperlocal space Big players

Collaboration

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Is this the future?

“A future no longer controlled by a single newspaper but instead by an ecosystem made up of many players with varying motives, means and models, working collaboratively in networks.” Jeff Jarvis.

FutureSmall players Hyperlocal space Big players

And finally………..that request for help

•Tracking moves in the hyperlocal space.

• Interested in news, announcements, stat-ups.

• Share via blog (www.sarahhartley.wordpress.com) or delicious (/sarahhartley).

FutureSmall players Hyperlocal space Big players

Thank you!

@foodiesarah | sarah.hartley@guardian.co.uk |

www.sarahhartley.wordpress.com

Sources, credits and links• Slide 4: Participants in Jeecamp 2009, Birmingham. Pic

copyright Sarah Hartley.

• Slide 6: Announcement of Local People. http://www.journalism.co.uk/2/articles/535002.php

• Slide 7: ITN's 'grand alliance' proposal. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/pda/2009/oct/14/westminster-local-news

• Slide 8: Trinity Mirror announce Addiply trial.http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/pda/2009/oct/13/addiply-local-ad-network

• Slide 9: Guardian local recruitment announced. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/pda/2009/oct/12/guardian-local-news-bloggers-emily-bell

• Now hiring image: www.uberreview.com/.../uploads/now-hiring.jpg

• Slide 11: They Work for you. www.theyworkforyou.com

• Slide 12: Politics Cymru. politicscymru.blogspot.com

* Slide 13: Ventnor Blog. http://ventnorblog.com/

* Slide 14: Pits 'n' Pots. www.pitsnpots.com.

* Slide 15: Help Me Investigate. www.helpmeinvestigate.com.

* Slide 16 : The Culture Vulture. http://theculturevulture.co.uk/blog

* Slide 17: People's Voice Media. peoplesvoicemedia.co.uk

Community reporters image from Smarter Cities, Salford 2009. Copyright Sarah Hartley.

* Slide 18. East Salford Direct.www.eastsalforddirect.co.ukSlide 21: Ostrich with head in the sand image: Copyright http://englishpod.com/lessons/thats-funny

* Slide 22: Child listening image: Copyright customersrock.wordpress.com/2008/07

* Slide 23: Talk About Local. http://talkaboutlocal.org/2009/07/29/journalists

* Slide 24: Wordle of MPs expenses. http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2009/may/08/mps-expenses-houseofcommons

* Slide 25: Jeff Jarvis in The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/sep/14/ecosystem-hyperlocal-bloggers