Sustaining Hyperlocal Media (original) (raw)
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Defining Hyperlocal Media: Proposing a Framework for Discussion
Although the word ‘hyperlocal’ appears regularly in discussions about the future of the news media, there is no agreed-upon definition for the term. Recognizing that shortcoming, we demonstrate the need for a more precise definition. We then propose a definition and criteria for evaluating media operations described as hyperlocal. Finally, we apply our working definition to six operations widely regarded as exemplars of the hyperlocal prototype, comparing each to established standards of journalism and to one another. We conclude that hyperlocal media operations are evolving on a continuum. As they evolve, these organizations will showcase both a range of journalism acting in the public good and engagement facilitated through interactive media. We expect the definition of hyperlocal to evolve, too, as more voices enter the discussion and closer attention is given to the characteristics of websites deemed worthy of the appellation.
Hyperlocal Media and the News Marketplace
Media Power and Plurality: From Hyperlocal to High-Level Policy, 2015
This chapter explores longstanding tensions between the private and public media sectors in the UK, focusing on new entrants to the ‘market’ or media landscape: hyperlocal and community websites and groups. Drawing on empirical evidence gathered by a collaborative research project and a range of policy and academic texts, it explores the benefits and drawbacks of a number of possible policy options for invigorating and sustaining local media, including methods of public subsidy, the development of charitably funded media, and the development of inter-organizational partnerships. It also considers a broader theoretical question about the assumptions of the ‘marketplace’ model used to develop pluralism-friendly policy: to what extent does this metaphoric terminology hinder the protection of media plurality and diversity of voices and editorial content?
Hyperlocal News And Media Accountability
Digital Journalism
This study investigates how hyperlocal entrepreneurs interpret and undertake the role of accountable journalism, but it still acknowledges the many roles hyperlocal news may hold in a local community. The analysis is built on the approaches within this group toward (1) business and (2) journalism. The findings suggest that the focus of (A) nonprofit/nonprofessional could be to mirror community events, often as a "positive" counter-image. Within (B) nonprofit/professional, interrogative reporting could be viewed as a contribution to the common good. Niches of news alerts and partnership content are found within (C) for-profit/nonprofessional, while a full news standard is the (struggling) ambition within (D) for-profit/professional. The argument can be made that a deeper understanding of how media accountability can be addressed and/or promoted in this diverse sector of scarce resources is a vital question for policymakers, educational institutions and the publicas well as for the future of local journalism.
Emerging Forms of Hyperlocal Media
Nordicom Review
In the Nordic countries, local and regional newspapers have functioned as keystone media. This article examines the emergence of hyperlocal initiatives as part of evolving local media ecosystems in Finland, analysing the extent and characteristics of hyperlocal media, and how they relate to wider changes in the Finnish media ecosystem. The data gathered on hyperlocal initiatives include a semi-structured survey by phone and online. The research conducted shows that the field is diverse. Rather than considering hyperlocal media in the context of typical publication forms, these newcomers can be best described according to a set of dimensions. Furthermore, the results indicate rather a strong desire to engage people in community building. The emergence of hyperlocal publications means adding a new layer to the Finnish media ecosystem. This development also provides the grounds for further study of the possible emergence of a new media era in Finland.
A Decade of Research on Hyperlocal Media: An International Approach to a New Media Model
Online Journal of Communication and Media Technologies, 2021
The growth of hyperlocal media has rekindled the ecosystem of local media in recent years. An international phenomenon, it has already been the subject of much study in the academy, despite it being a recent occurrence. This article deals with the literature review of scientific articles published during the first decade of hyperlocal media research. The results show the keen interest that researchers had early on in this new media model, especially in the United States, United Kingdom, Sweden and Australia where it was studied more intensely. The works published from 2010 to 2020 exhibit an interest in the study of the transformation of the media ecosystem, the mapping and analysis of the characteristics of the media, their organizational and business models, as well as their informative production and the relationship with the audience.
BOOK CHAPTER: Hyperlocal Journalism
Sage Handbook of Digital Journalism, 2016
The decline of the mainstream local news is well charted and understood. But in recent years a new generation of community-oriented, predominantly digital, news outlets, often called hyperlocal news (Bruns 2011, Metzgar et al 2011), have begun to attract attention from academics (Jones and Salter 2012, Thurman et al 2011) policy makers (Department for Culture Media and Sport 2009), regulators (OFCOM 2012), and investors (Nesta 2012, Radcliffe 2012). Such news is written by a variety of social actors (community activists, alternative journalists, former or aspiring professional news journalists), for many overlapping reasons (civic, public service, commercial, campaigning, etc). It has been seen as an oppositional media form that can be critical of local institutions including local government and mainstream news (Harte 2013), and one whose informal, participatory, bottom-up nature may de-centre or undermine more established professional players (Cushion 2012, Hartley 2009). Others have aimed to understand whether and in what ways, hyperlocal news might contribute to the democratic roles previously played by (or at least attributed to) declining local commercial news (Williams et al 2013). This chapter will provide an overview of recent research into this emergent cultural form to outline its nature and sustainability, as well as the roles it plays in relation to citizenship, democracy, participation and local community life.
Nordicom Review
Declining legacy media seriously affects local journalism in Sweden. Since 2004, nearly every second local office for local newspapers has been closed, and local coverage is diminishing. In a parallel development, new types of hyperlocal media are growing, according to a national mapping of local media ecologies. The study presented here is based on two surveys: one of local municipalities and one of independent hyperlocals. The key question is: are hyperlocals filling the gap? In many cases, the motivation behind new hyperlocal media has been discontent with declining media coverage from legacy media. In general, however, the pattern is more complicated; most hyperlocals grow in places where legacy media is also present. The main conclusion is that hyperlocals are only partly filling the gaps from declining legacy media, while parts of Sweden are becoming “news deserts.” Another important result is that hyperlocals are developing both in print and online, often in combination, to c...
Hyper-local Media: A Small but Growing Part of the Local Media Ecosystem
What do we mean by local? The rise, fall and possible rise again of local journalism, 2013
"Hyperlocal media has expanded significantly in the UK in the past 12 to 18 months, notes Damian Radcliffe. Supported by new funding and training initiatives, interest from academics and policy-makers, as well as the increased take-up of internet-enabled mobile devices, the result has been a step-change in activity and interest in the hyperlocal scene." Contribution to “What do we mean by local? The rise, fall and possible rise again of local journalism” – published Sept 2013 by Abramis Academic Publishing and edited by John Mair, Richard Lance Keeble, Neil Fowler: http://www.abramis.co.uk/books/bookdetails.php?id=184549593
A new symbiosis? Opportunities and challenges to hyperlocal journalism in the digital age
This article draws on 'hyperlocal' journalism scholarship to explore the civic functions of Australian local reporting in the digital age. Through place-based case studies based on interviews with media and civic leaders from three disparate communities, we find community groups are engaging with social media, particularly Facebook, to connect locals to services and community news. Community service providers are increasingly adept at using social media and, in many cases, prefer it to legacy media to gather, disseminate and exchange news. Concurrently, legacy media have lost newsroom resources that limit their practice of 'shoe leather' journalism and increase their dependence on official sources without independent verification. Yet, journalists are adapting to newsroom cutbacks by forming symbiotic relationships with non-media news providers, including local police. We find there are promising alternatives for fostering civic discourse and engagement through digital technologies despite less traditional local news and a reduced capacity for verified journalism.