links for 2011-06-13

Have Carmarthenshire Council and Dyfed Powys Police acted illiberally?

A round up of news and views from MediaCityUK

"If you have been on the receiving end of a Local Authority trying to obscure the democratic process then fill in this form and let’s see what we can do with the data. To start with just plotting the Local Authorities on a map will be a starting point but as (or if) we get more data then we can do more with it. If you think there is a question or some information I have missed asking for leave me a comment below and I’ll update the sheet."

He first conducted a survey, leaving paper forms in the local library and cafes and inviting online responses via his website. Almost two hundred people responded, and the findings were then supplemented by a longitudinal study, conducted in February this year, of the ways in which people use Virtual Norwood and the community website for the neighbouring area Sydenham Town.

The key findings suggest that people see hyperlocal media as one small part of the information sources available to them about what is going on locally. ‘Users interact wtih hyperlocal media primarily for their information needs – they’re not looking for entertainment, or community interaction,’ says Thomas.

This project is very deliberately part of our strategy to explore how to help local people to establish and embed neighbourhood networks in low income areas. For that reason we will be ensuring there is plenty of shared learning with the group of three ‘Big Localities’ where we have recently begun work for the Big Lottery Fund.

They will continue to feature news but have moved beyond display ad formats to offer a range of commercial features including business profiles, user reviews, daily deals vouchers and events listings. More than 2,000 advertisers have migrated to the new platform.

Turned out pro-am – at least in the context of this conference – was a Jay Rosen term and given that he is an influential voice in the world of journalism (someone I read and follow on Twitter, for a start) I guess I'll be hearing the phrase a lot more. But, frankly, I'm sick of determinations.

At the heart of the issue is the council’s objection to VB moderating its user-generated comments after, rather than before, publication.