Earlier in the year, Gannett, parent company of such news properties about the USA Today, announced that it would take the bold steps toward restructuring the way they delivered the news. I blogged about it over here — but one of the biggest moves was to formalize an initiative to bring in the fold of user generated content, also known as crowdsourcing. The BBC has made strides to do the same sort of thing, but with a report by the Washington Post, it seems like Gannett is jumping with both feet in the water.
The article describes in detail how one local newspaper is in the process of transforming their journalists into “mobile journalists”, also known as “Mojo’s” — and are flattening their management and editorial process, where these “mojo’s” post directly to the newspaper website. While the Mojos will be a combination of full and part time staff, the newspaper will also be enrolling in non paid citizens to help encover the news as well; the article has no details on this, unfortunately, but does list a piece of news that predates Gannett’s dramatic change in its news policy.
With an emphasis towards publishing directly to the web, a mandate towards posting high posting frequency, with an aim towards local freshness, and an almost non-existent editorial pressure, coupled with online messageboards and a Craigslist style classifieds … well, I’m in agreement with the Silicon Alley Reporter on this one.
Its almost like they’re aiming to create a local news blog.
Is that what Gannett’s trying to achieve? They’re not saying it in as many words, and you can dress it up how you like, but it sure seems that way. And is it such a bad thing?
With blogging software anyone can easily start publishing frequent “news” easily, and distribute access to potential ‘journalists’ in seconds. Most open source software allows you to drop in plugins that can allow reasonable (and free) out-of-the box functionality. The only thing that’s missing is the funds to pay would be reports to be on the scene and essentially “live-blog” live events.
“Hyperlocal news”? Why not just call a spade a spade, and just say Gannett is moving towards blogging?
