Dylan Iorwerth, Golwg and Golwg360

Background

Hyper local news is not new in the medium of Welsh, nor citizen journalism either. Since 1973, that’s exactly what the papurau bro network of community titles has been doing. The medium may be different, but not the concept.

The opportunity

Because of this background and because of people’s commitment to Welsh culture, the language has an advantage in this field. The new forms of media also offer an opportunity to take the papurau bro vision even further, creating the chance to reach new generations and new groups, creating a new dimension in community activism.

The business opportunity

Small, local businesses aren’t generally able to compete on the Internet. But creating a hyper local service would provide them with a platform.

The threat

If the Welsh language doesn’t grasp the opportunity, these developments will take place through the medium of English.

The vision

A partnership between hyper local websites and a national on-line news service like Golwg360, so that income and content from each can be used to strengthen both.

The technology means there would be less work than with the print papur bro and new groups of people would need to be recruited to run the projects, working parallel to the print publication. It would also generate ready-made material for the papur bro and would offer space for extra content (e.g. pictures)

Users could choose their area for hyper local news and part of the home page would also include the national service.

The websites would carry all media – print, video, sound, social networking, information platforms – and available on mobile devices, such as phones and tablets.

The hyper local services would retain their identities but they would also make a contribution on a national level.

The possibilities

Here are some possibilities …

• Local shops could publicise special deals, or provide special offers to readers, at short notice.
• A society could draw last minute attention to an event or concert. Or even warn about a cancellation.
• If someone wanted to start a campaign, for or against a wind farm, say, this would be the platform.
• On a very serious level, think of a missing child and an appeal for help.

The essentials

The support and enthusiasm of the local communities.

A team of ‘journalists’ who are ready to put up content of all kinds, using the hyper local websige as a platform for sharing information and social contact.

Professional journalistic support, in terms of organisation and content, training and law.

Professional support in terms of a business and commerce framework.

A two-way network, where all partners benefit.

The next step

This is our suggestion …

• Finding funding for a joint project with groups of papurau bro in some areas, in order to develop the model.
• Adapting the model to be available for any papur bro or community that wishes to take part.
• Working with people in the different areas to see what’s feasible and to set up local projects.
• Developing a network to ensure co-operation and the sharing of good practice for long term sustainability.