links for 2011-04-20

Blogs are a part of that evolution. But the blog is the noun, not the verb. Writing is writing, and while some writing still ends up on newsprint, other writing ends up online. Some of that online writing ends up on the sites of traditional media sources, while others end up on independent sites – many of which qualify as web logs, or blogs.

"I think journalism as being about shedding light on dark corners, as being about giving people voice that voiceless, as being about comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable, as the old phrase has it, is something that is a ubiquitous possibility for people with the platforms and devices available."

Digital News Service of the Year
The PCS Award for all digital news services

belfasttelegraph.co.uk
caledonianmercury.co.uk
guardian.co.uk
Guardian Local
independent.co.uk
london-se1.co.uk
thesundaytimes.co.uk

Citizenside is all about creating tools that enable participative journalism. To focus the power of citizen reporters and motivate good journalism, we absolutely need to provide our community with a rewarding experience with clear challenges and rewards. Game dynamics like the ones above are an unbeatable way of doing that.

It’s a difficult time for journalism, but difficult times tends to bring out the best innovation. Don’t just look at the traditional routes, if you’ve got an idea just get on and do it. It’s abut throwing spaghetti at the wall and seeing what sticks.

The Hedon Local News Hub would aim to be a constituted partnership body bringing together volunteers, local communities, voluntary groups, local business, training providers that can draw in funding to provide a dedicated news-gathering and news-sharing service in the town – and a network of community citizen-journalist reporters with access to training and technical support opportunities. This network would dig out and investigate local issues – hold local authorities to account and strengthen local democracy, and be a source of positive press around which community action could ferment.

Richard Draycott, managing director of MiNetwork, said: "STV has really taken the in initiative in the provision of local news and information with the launch of STV Local and this breakfast briefing event will give communications and marketing professionals in Scotland the opportunity to meet the people behind the service and to talk about how they can get involved and use the service for the benefit of their own clients."

He also praises a raft of "place-bloggers," people who may be giving of their time to blog locally and should not be discounted just because they're not professionals or don't make a living at it.