In my blog post earlier this year on The future of newspapers and paid for online content, I noted the rise in the use of people acquiring news from sources other than printed newspapers or paid for online content.
It was the national press that I was mostly referring to. I believe there’s a trend, based at the community or village level, where developments in social media technology and the increasing adoption of social media news feeds is beginning to displace the local newspaper.
I draw this conclusion from here in Surrey Heath. Our local newspaper – the Camberley News & Mail, is owned by one of the big national newsgroups, and regularly has less than three pages out of 22 on Surrey Heath, with news being mainly about Aldershot, Farnborough and Farnham.
Meanwhile, the Surrey Heath Residents blog covers many events that aren’t covered by the local press. Not only that but there’s a Surrey Heath Residents Network email group that provides a useful service in recommendations for plumbers and the like . There’s a Facebook page for the Residents Network, and a Twitter feed for fast updates on what’s happening locally.
Take a look at the wide variety of topics reported in Surrey Heath Residents blog has covered in the last few days – local planning policy, traffic accident appeal, e-museum interviews, Bagshot Library future, and the future of social media for communities. The success of the Surrey Heath Resident’s blog and social feeds is due to the dedication and enthusiasm of its founder, Paul Deach. The picture is of him covering the launch of Camberley as a new BHF Heart Town on Saturday. One final thought, Paul’s blog is the equivalent to a small local daily newspaper, not a weekly one.
Are local blogs and community networks replacing the traditional role of the local newspaper and does it matter? Are local communities better served by the emergence of local blogs? This are some really fascinating questions you’ve raised.
In a situation where local papers have been bought up by national chains or larger enterprises there is a sense that local news and by extension local identities are being lost.
It’s an interesting idea that local blogs could/are replacing the local newspaper. In some ways it does seem like a natural evolution and a return to the past in some ways as communities reforge connections with one another on the social web.
Great blog post.
Mike Girard
Community Engagement, Radian6
By: MikeGRad6 (@MikeGRad6) on September 19, 2011
at 2:04 pm
Mr Mayor, thank you for your kind words about the Surrey Heath Residents Network.
However, I must correct you on one thing. while I am the founder and driving force behind the creation of the Residents Network, the success is down to the many contributors (you included) and resident participation.
I do not think that community led blogs such as the Surrey Heath Residents network will replace traditional media outlets as some stories need professional jerno’s to properly research and then report on. I thought the Camberley News jerno Mike Write was very good at that.
So replace, I don’t think so, but augment, for sure.
One thing I am certain on, the Residents Network does seem to be very powerful as a vehicle for effective community activism and is proving far more engaging to a wider audience than the Camberley News seems capable of.
By: Cllr Paul Deach on September 19, 2011
at 4:29 pm
I think many local papers are suggesting that glossy council publications like “Heathscene” are rather more responsible for finishing them off than blogs – I remember this story from a couple of years ago:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/apr/09/lga-oft-local-newspapers-competition
By: leftoflightwater on September 19, 2011
at 8:48 pm