Do we need traditional local media?

One of the things I enjoy to complain about is the way that media companies treat local content. Or rather the way they don’t treat local content. Because I believe that the needs of ordinary people are being fundamentally underserved, and that there’s huge opportunity to really make an impact in this space.

For the above reason it resonates with me, when someone - in this case Mark Potts - asks, what will happen if the presses suddenly go silent? Will society never be the same, or will some other shape and form of media - and a more relevant version of such - rise?

Personally, I think the latter. I agree with Mark that local media is actually being quite dynamically served by a lot of different stakeholders, if you define local media a bit more broadly than reporting news along the good old news criteria. After all we have clubs, associations and public authorities publishing a lot of useful content thats truly valued by local people.

However, most local media outlets without an offspring in traditional media companies lack media skills. They lack the fundamental ability to research, analyze, write up and present content in a format that can actually stand the test of fact checking, ethics and just plain skill. But what I can’t help wondering if that couldn’t be solved by journalists actually joining these local players and add some much needed skills to their arsenal?

Why not distribute journalists, where they can have a real impact on things really connected to peoples everyday lives instead of getting them all together in a newsroom doing stuff that’s feeling increasingly disconnected from people’s lives? I think the idea makes some sense.

And it begs the question whether we really need traditional local media or can get better by by using the skillsets of local journalists in new contexts?

Vad NU! is a consultancy company owned by Mads Kristensen and specialized in helping clients take advantage of the business opportunities created by new media. Click to learn how I can help you and your company.