Hyperlocal Failure

The Telegraaf newspaper concern keeps trying to tell us that Hyperlocal websites can be run by volunteers. May be when it comes to sports reporting it could work. But when it comes to news reporting, it is a huge failure. It's just reports by enthusiastic cop car/ambulance chasers. This afternoon, apparently, there was a police car chase two streets away. They also used a police helicopter. Apparently someone was arrested but the police were not available for comment.
Well that's all right then. What it was about we will never know. Would I like to advertise again this rumour mill of accident reportages, burglaries and domestic violence. Not in a million years. So what's the point?

HyperLocal - will it work?

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It is fascinating to contrast the relatively rich Hamburg evening newspaper's work using 7 citizen reporters from its regions with that of MarsActu, Marseilles, Southern France where they have much less cash for hyperlocal sites. The French presentation (translated into English) starts at 38'43. Launched as an Internet only site in January 2010 they serve Marseilles (1 million inhabitants). The large cities have been dominated by newspaper monopolies. MarsActu employ 5 journalists and get around 100,000 unique visitors a month. They have five editions a day. They have also invested in a small digital studio for on-demand videos. Next step is go live with a chat room. Pierre Boucard recommends that people start small. Revenue is projected to be 150,000 Euro from local advertising in 2012. 350,000 Euro expected next year when they will break even. They focus on higher level discussion, business and culture leaving local sports coverage to a local daily newspaper. Their aim is to add value. They want to expand to other cities, aiming to reach 9 other cities where they believe the model will work. Pierre also noted that Huffington Post launched in France with 8 journalists. 

Hyperlocal isn't useful in the Netherlands

Been analysing the attempts to get hyperlocal sites going in the Netherlands. The results are mixed. I think they contribute something to local news gathering in the East of the country (well away from Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Utrecht) but in the media city area of "het Gooi" the news is rather useless. This morning there came the news that a jeweller in Bussum had been robbed. But no details of what had been taken, or if there was anyone injured in the robbery were available. So what's the point? Has the street been closed so traffic cant get into Bussum? We're not told. In previous weeks they have posted video on Dichtbij.nl ( which means Nearby) but these are just raw pictures of police clearing up after traffic accidents (no commentary) and I don't see what it adds to the news story, except an element of voyerism. I cannot believe that local businesses really want to be involved. Compare that with the Kings Cross Blog  in London which is run by the community, for the community, and attracts up to 500 readers a day. I'm sure they read it.