INTRODUCTIONS
We made brief introductions and Randy provided his background related to journalism, detailing what drew him to the industry some of his observations as a reporter and an editor and his current role as the founder of a non-profit digital community news resource.
Ethan indicated that he works in the software industry and said he is concerned about the rising use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). “It seems unavoidable, and I’m concerned that it tends to steal your voice.” Ethan said that despite his concerns, he still sees some potential benefit to AI as it relates to the evolving state of media news distribution.
Steve indicated that he signed up for the class because he has “a strong interest civics and local government. He feels that community new reporting is essential for an active and engaged citizenry, especially at the local level.
Susan also said local civic engagement is an important issue and one that she wants to explore more deeply. She lives in Kennebunk and talked about a news vacuum in her community. She shared that within the next 30 days (May 18) she and group of other local citizens are planning to launch a new publication, “The Local News,” designed to be a non-profit and digital only until enough funding can be secured for adding a traditional print version.
Jim is working as a freelance writer for the Biddeford Gazette and said he is becoming increasingly frustrated with a growing level of “misinformation” that seems prevalent on community social media pages. Jim said he is looking to learn more about community newspapers and their role in providing reliable information for people who want it.
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CLASS ASSIGNMENT | Local News Survey
PLEASE take this short, anonymous survey about community journalism and share it widely with your friends and contacts | LOCAL NEWS SURVEY – LESSONS IN MEDIOCRITY | OUTLAW JOURNALIST
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NEXT WEEK
There seemed to be broad consensus that class participants would like to focus their discussion at the local level of journalism, but both Ethan and Susan said they would also like more discussion and guidance about the following topics:
What are the boundaries for reporters/editors when it comes to personal activities in the community?
b.) What strategies should local publications be using to attract and engage readers/listeners/viewers under the age of 40 and is print really dead, or should it be? The value of video/audio reporting.
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SUGGESTED CLASS READING
Lessons In Mediocrity | When Journalists Compete, Readers Win
Lessons In Mediocrity | Lie to Me: Big Changes in the media industry
American Journalism Project | The state of local news and why it’s important
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THIS WEEK’S RECOMMENDED BOOK
Leaving Readers Behind | The corporate age of newspapering by Gene Roberts (2001)
PUBLISHER SUMMARY | “The American newspaper industry is in the middle of the most momentous change in its entire 300-year history. A generation of relentless “corporatization” has resulted in a furious, unprecedented blitz of buying, selling, and consolidation of newspapers —affecting the mightiest dailies and the humblest weeklies.
Accompanying this corporate jury has come dramatic—and drastic—change in reporting and coverage of all kinds. Concerned that this phenomenon was going largely unreported—and, therefore, unquestioned—Gene Roberts, legendary reporter and editor, decided to undertake a huge, extended reportorial study of his own industry.
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ON THE WEB | THIS WEEK’S COMMUNITY NEWS EXAMPLE
As I said in the class, the Moosehead Lakeshore Journal (MLJ) is one of my favorite community newspapers in Maine. The Moosehead region is vast, but thinly populated, especially during the long winter months. The towns around Maine’s largest lake — Greenville, Rockwood and Jackman — are struggling economically, heavily dependent on recreational tourism but also fiercely battling gentrification and trying to preserve the region’s iconic cultural heritage.
THE MLJ is both digital and print and they do a phenomenal job in reporting with integrated video and use of other technology. The paper is authentic, honest and refreshing. You can follow then on Facebook, but if you really want to see integrated community journalism, check out their website: Moosehead Lakeshore Journal
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RELATED LINKS FOR DISCUSSION
Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting | The Maine Monitor
See you all next week! — Randy
LESSONS IN MEDIOCRITY | OUTLAW JOURNALIST 