What About the Hyperlocals?

Leckner, Sara; Tenor, Carina; Nygren, Gunnar

doi:10.1080/17512786.2017.1392254

Cited by 40 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…They stress the importance of reporting on a local level. This reinforces earlier findings, which have shown that hyperlocals value local identity, local advertisers and local democracy, in that order (Leckner et al, 2017). One of the rural entrepreneurs interviewed for this article explains that the importance of democratic influence for community members was in fact the initiating factor in why this particular news site came to be, two decades ago:…”

Section: More Common With Commentary Option In Rural Areassupporting

confidence: 87%

“…The search also included an overview of trade-related news sites that regularly report on new media establishments. The results were compared to an open-source database, 1 which found 587 regional, local and hyperlocal news outlets in Sweden (Leckner et al, 2017). As the industry is highly inconstant, the current total of hyperlocals varies as new start-ups are added and failing initiatives are shut down.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The main motivation for hyperlocals in Sweden is to raise the sense of community and strengthen the local identity. The third most important factor is to be a forum for local democracy (Leckner et al, 2017).…”

Section: Hyperlocals and Democracymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…But are they contributing to democracy? Previous research has focused on studying hyperlocals in terms of structure, resources and business models (Kurpius et al, 2010;Leckner et al, 2017;Nygren et al, 2017;van Kerkhoven & Bakker, 2015;. Research shows that hyperlocal media is a growing phenomenon in the Nordic region, but it has not received much scholarly attention.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Local Democracy and the Media

Jangdal

2019

Nordicom Review

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Local news media in Western countries are undergoing major changes, including cutbacks, centralisation and consolidation. In this study, Sweden has been scanned to map the presence of digital hyperlocal media and to investigate which online channels of communication they offer their readers, in order to determine their set-up for democratic functions. The results reveal that very few hyperlocals are positioned in rural areas; instead, the majority of them favour metropolitan or urban municipalities. The hyperlocal media presence on social networks is limited to a few platforms, and about half of the hyperlocals offer commentary fields on their news sites. As the democratic structure varies, coupled with the fact that hyperlocals favour high-density population municipalities where traditional media already exist, this study indicates that the democracy dialogue in the local public sphere may be at risk.

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Section: More Common With Commentary Option In Rural Areassupporting

confidence: 87%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Hyperlocals and Democracymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Local Democracy and the Media

Jangdal

2019

Nordicom Review

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“…This study includes nineteen semi-structured in-depth qualitative interviews. The interviewees were selected from 75 digital hyperlocals identified in a systematic review of a complete mapping of the Swedish media market -587 regional and local media newsrooms (Leckner et al, 2017). All 75 hyperlocals have a news focus, a digital primary product, are locally based in the area that they cover, and that are independently owned and operated.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hyperlocal Journalism and PR: Diversity in Roles and Interactions

Stúr

Jangdal

Nilsson³

2018

(OBS*)

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Hyperlocal media has repeatedly been framed as a potential saviour of local journalism, but the democratic and civic role that often is ascribed to hyperlocals is not obvious or uncomplicated. The hyperlocals' vulnerable economic situation makes them dependent on free content, for example material produced by local councils or organizations. This paper investigates the role of hyperlocal media entrepreneurs and their interaction with local councils and other stakeholders. We examine how the hyperlocal media entrepreneurs supply their communities with news in places of a media void, and how they perceive their role in their communities. Findings from this qualitative study show that the media entrepreneurs view their news production as an important part of the local community. They provide a forum for debate and information for citizens, local governments and organizations. Their service also includes a channel for local events relevant for the community. The interactions with the local governments vary, as well as the hyperlocal entrepreneurs' evaluation of how the information provided by the councils can or should be handled. The relation between hyperlocal media entrepreneurs and local governments is a complex process, including both interrelated and contradictory goals.

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Digital News Start‐Ups

Sehl¹

2019

The International Encyclopedia of Journalism Studies

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Since the 1990s, a number of digital news start‐ups have been launched worldwide. These digital‐born organizations have benefited from lower market‐entry barriers to technologies and tools that facilitate production and distribution. They tend to be diverse in size, focus, and in terms of their business models and are not affiliated with existing legacy news organizations (though they are increasingly recognized by their peers and users as journalistic). However, by also offering news and public affairs focused coverage, they have entered competitive markets both in terms of soliciting audience attention and revenue opportunities. As a result, they face the same challenges as legacy media. Despite their leaner organizational structure, clearer editorial focus, and an effective use of technology, many depend on limited streams of revenue, namely, advertising or investors. Consequently, the literature shows a need for digital news start‐ups to identify diverse and sustainable business models.

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What About the Hyperlocals?

Cited by 40 publications

References 22 publications

Local Democracy and the Media

Local Democracy and the Media

Hyperlocal Journalism and PR: Diversity in Roles and Interactions

Digital News Start‐Ups

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