Why is Representation so important?
Here's a TEDx Talk by journalist Sarah Stuteville about the importance of asking "what would you do if you could do anything?" This links to the idea that it's not about just following traditional roots, because Citizen Journalists have a huge role to play in curating hyperlocal content. To some extent, hyperlocals RELY on citizen journalists.
In Western news culture, many stories of significance are lost if they are not perceived to be of global or immediate importance. This is the same within just England – if the story is not big enough it won't get covered. It'sunderstandable –there is only so much space and time for reporting. But what about the untold stories?
Representation is important. In a varied culture, it's necessary that all stories (and all people) have an opportunity to be heard. Sometimes it isn't just about geography, but about a specific field of interest or profession. This is where specialist publications, such as Medical Forum come in.
According to Niall Norbury (Editor of Alt Reading) "hyperlocal journalism tends to fill gaps left by other local media".
This only emphasises the importance of niche publications and the representation they offer.
Want to read more on the importance of representation?
Check out the articles below:
Global Media
Why it's Needed
Check out The Seattle Globalist
the updated verision of the globally local website discussed in the TEDx Talk
"As mass journalism markets unbundle and become niche markets, news operations, if they are to survive, will have to join the niche movement rather than fight it. "
Source: NiemanLab
Representative?
Is hyperlcoal journalism a good way to represent individuals and groups that don't recieve mainstream news attention? Dave Harte shares his view:
"Firstly, many hyperlocals tend to focus not so much on issues like crime but rather, focus on the everyday, more banal aspects of life. I think this is a good thing because this refocusing might be a way to build connections within communities. Secondly, many hyperlocals are good at campaigning and giving voice to those who are trying to speak out on local issues. Sometimes those issues are too local for the mainstream press, or the mainstream press might have vested interests in the issue at hand. Therefore hyperlocals can be a great platform for small or marginalised advocacy groups."
Some social groups and districts simply do not attain the level and depth of coverage that others do - even when there is a significant, globally relevant news event.
One example of this is the coverage of the Paris attacks vs the coverage of the Beirut attacks. (see this post) It is sometimes unclear as to why two equally devestating events about people may reach different levels of 'success' in terms of news coverage, and why one becomes a media event, while the other remains largely as local news.
This is arguably to do with relatablity. If something global happens that is somewhat far removed from the UK, chances are the main media outlets won't cover it in as much depth as something that feels a little 'closer to home'. Similarly with local news events. Regardless of their importance, some stories will not make big headlines because they just are not relatable enough to the majority of the audience.
It can be argued that the lack or abundance of representation begins in the news room (or office) as this article from a BBC guest blogger suggests, and as Rosalyn Warren noted in a recent guest lecture at Middlesex, journalism is still very much run by white, middle class men. This lack of diversity at a gatekeeper level is something that can link to the types of stories that get covered –because if no one behind the scenes is putting forward a particular group's POV, their perspective will be lost in the midst of the louder voices.
This again links to the idea of accidental and citizen journalists – those who recoginise a lack of coverage about a topic and choose to capture the moment and share the story in whatever way they can.
Hyperlocal and citizen journalism also link to 'open journalism'. Here's a video about the topic.
(Credit: OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media)