1) USA
VOICE OF SAN DIEGO
What is it? A non-profit news website delivering local investigative journalism and campaigns with an aim “to increase civic participation by giving residents the knowledge and in-depth analysis necessary to become advocates for good government and social progress”
Why? To plug the gap after cutbacks and closures of local papers meant less coverage of important local issues
Who funds it? Sponsors, readers and foundations
Strengths: Its diverse funding model and campaigns on local issues
Potential weaknesses: Relies on a close relationship with the community and an engaged population
2) Guatemala
RADIO IXCHEL
What is it? A community radio station with the highest percentage of female participation of any community radio station in the country
Why? Indigenous people were not being represented and even ignored by other stations
Who funds it? NGOs and local people
Strengths: It gives a voice to indigenous local communities, especially women, who are affected by mining and logging industries and whose rights are often abused
Potential weaknesses: Reporting is very dangerous, often women working alone with very little back-up exposing the work of large corporations and corrupt local governments
3) Spain
LA VOZ DE GALICIA
What is it? The online service by this established newspaper reports hyperlocal news using special software to curate stories from information gleaned from social media feeds
Why? It provides hyperlocal news without having reporters at every small event or sports fixture
Who funds it? The project is initially being supported by the Google Digital News Initiative
Strengths: A way of letting people know what the news in their area is – including what the football scores are in their very local league
Potential weaknesses: It is fact checked but it sources “news” from individual Twitter and Facebook users who may not be reliable
4) Germany
TAGESSPIEGEL LEUTE
What is it? A weekly e-newsletter from daily paper Der Tagesspiegel containing local news for each of Berlin’s 12 districts
Why? It fulfils an appetite for hyperlocal news which a city-wide newspaper can’t
Who funds it? Advertisers who can target their district
Strengths: A dedicated reporter for each area and a way of letting people know what’s happening in their neighbourhood
Potential weaknesses: Richer districts may be better funded and so get more news than less well-off ones. It is not a vehicle for in-depth reporting
5) South Africa
HASHTAG OUR STORIES
What is it? A social media organisation telling global stories from ‘people’s perspectives’ by curating videos made on mobile phones by individuals from all over the world
Why? To provide an on-the-ground perspective from individuals closer to the story
Who funds it? In 2018, the husband and wife founders were given $150,000 from the Los Angeles-based Snapchat which now owns part of the company
Strengths: Cheap to operate. Provides online training on how to report local stories with a mobile phone
Potential weaknesses: Only helps citizens make video content for social media platforms. Doesn’t employ journalists
6) India
CGNET SWARA (VOICE OF CHHATTISGARH)
What is it? Local news you can listen to on a non-smart mobile phone
Why? It uses citizen journalists to report news from remote areas where there is little local news broadcast in local languages. It also circumvents a ban on private radio stations
Who funds it? It is a not-for-profit organisation which relies on international trusts and foundations
Strengths: Broadcasts news in areas where large numbers of people are illiterate and also posts stories on a global website. Has been influential nationally and internationally
Potential weaknesses: Hyperlocal news reporting with limited coverage
7) Queensland, Australia
SNIPPETS
What is it? A hyperlocal news sheet for three suburbs in the city of Rockhampton
Why? Local papers were being swallowed up and the founder believed local communities were losing out
Who funds it? It is funded by local businesses that don’t have another outlet for advertising
Strengths: It is hyperlocal and making up for the loss of local papers in parts of Australia
Potential weaknesses: It is a one-man band (run by a retiree) which relies on local business advertising and could possibly face conflict of interest if news is critical of local business
8) Western Europe, USA and Australia
NEXTDOOR
What is it? A private social networking service which puts neighbours in touch with each other to share information. It is based in San Francisco
Why? It was set up in response to the loss of newspapers reporting very local news
Who funds it? A private company and is valued at $1.6bn
Strengths: Can be a good source of certain types of local news
Potential weaknesses: Mostly covers low-level crime, lost cats and tips for local handymen, but more gossip than reporting. Members in wealthy Oakland neighbourhoods scared of crime were accused of racial profiling
