Local daily newspapers across the nation are in bad shape, and many Americans fear losing a keystone of their communities: local news. National newspapers and broadcast media have their place, but local papers inform and enrich the communities they serve with stories about politics, business, arts and culture. For instance, USA Today isn’t likely to report on an initiative to close several Seattle schools because it’s not relevant to a national audience, but the news is still important to Seattleites.
Daily newspapers as we know them may disappear, but if a growing crop of online startups are any indication, local news is here to stay. These startups, called hyperlocal news sites, aggregate online stories that are specific to a reader’s neighborhood or city. Some even have their own reporters to supplement content with original articles. According to a New York Times article on the subject, “They might let a visitor know about an arrest a block away, the sale of a home down the street and reviews of nearby restaurants.”
I checked out one such site called EveryBlock.com. After clicking “Seattle” on the home page and typing in my zip code, I landed on the “Timeline” page with a list of 911 dispatches, building permits and business reviews near my house. Not exactly breaking news. Things got more interesting when I clicked on the “Overview” page. Here I found an aggregate of discounts and sales at businesses in my neighborhood, local news stories, city press releases and restaurant inspections. Improvements to my neighborhood park, two-for-one DVD rentals and the Vegan donut shop up the street got a four-star review? Definitely news I can use.
So will hyperlocal news sites replace daily newspapers? It’s possible, but they face some major hurdles. First, they need to develop a viable business model to secure advertising revenue – no easy feat in this economy. They will also need to offer customizable dashboards so readers can select whether they want up-to-the-minute reports of 911 dispatches in their neighborhood, a comprehensive list of local businesses applying for liquor licenses, or just plain news.
We will be interested to see whether these sites take off and would love to hear your thoughts. Would you use a hyperlocal news site?