Op-ed: saving local news means jettisoning nostalgia, focusing on three core values of journalism - Entrepreneur Generations

In order to save local journalism, we have to let go of nostalgia and focus on three core values, writes veteran editor Dennis Hetzel.

The first, and most important, he writes, is that you shouldn't try to choose between quality and quantity of local news; you have to have both. "Here's my hypothesis: Outlets with 'lots of local news' do better with audience growth and retention and probably financially," Hetzel writes. "Alisa Cromer of Local Media Insider has been examining the traits of successful papers. Beyond geographic and demographic advantages, she found this commonality: 'For the super healthy newspapers exclusive local news is more than a product; it is their superpower.'"

Hetzel believes publications should put a higher priority on finding the best ways to harness artificial intelligence, social media, reader submissions, staff structures, partnerships with other organizations or publications and other strategies that generate more local content but leave reporters the bandwidth to report on in-depth stories.

Read more here.

from The Rural Blog https://ift.tt/2DoHFHc Op-ed: saving local news means jettisoning nostalgia, focusing on three core values of journalism - Entrepreneur Generations

Posted by Entrepreneur Generations

Tweet