Transitioning legacy community journalism to new tools and concepts

Mary Ann Mohring, Mark Anderson, Jeff Brown, Mollika Biernat, Jacqueline Burau, Michelle Story-Stewart, Robert Shimkoski, Vivian Sanders

With more than 8,000 community newspapers, there is already a base of established community journalists in this country. How can we move them toward the new media landscape?

Local markets will need to open up soon, as the younger generation grows up.

Newspapers can use online, videos, Twitter, Mashable…..

We need a new media literacy as a component of civics classes. Kids have never heard about media as the fourth estate.

Do we need more random sampling, or bigger community-wide conversations?

Do we use technology more as a conversation platform or as a delivery mechanism?

“We know what’s best for them.” Flawed motto of automobile companies, newspapers shouldn’t make the same mistake.

Newspapers are risk averse.

Community newspapers are worried about change, they need a tool box to help them decide which direction to take.

Right now most online tools are for quick information sharing, not for in-depth news stories.

In a community, conversation is free, information is free, opinions and comments are free. What do we get people to pay for? People will pay for insight, depth, truth, connecting people with the issues that impact their lives, making connections that others cannot make, and solving community problems.

Alternative business example: Model D (modeldmedia.com) – free online newsletter in Detroit. Covers individual communities and markets. Has paid journalists and underwriters. Concentrates on positive news coming from specific communities. Audience has moved from email to Facebook, using Google analytics.

Is it different for underwriters to support journalism as opposed to ads supporting journalism? Business model example: All Headline News – syndicating to companies, companies can decide if they use the news.

Newspapers should form partnerships with bloggers.

There will always be a need for newspapers.

Most start-ups are free papers.

Need to share markets, share content, share success stories.

Send headlines by cell phone – text alerts, weather, sports scores…
Send newspapers out through wi-fi with free access

Print product vs. online product – do both.

Small communities are still behind, but the gap is closing.