SXSW: News Entrepreneurs vs. Traditional Journalism

News Entrepreneurs vs.

Traditional Journalists

#sxsw #NewNews

Phenomenal Growth

• At least 4,700 sites known to be active.• Many with journalistic DNA• Breaking news• Watchdogging local officials• Filling gaps left by MSM

Origins

• Solo founder – often traditional journalists (mom and pops)

• Small sites funded by community foundations (Knight Community News Challenge)• Larger sites: angel or foundation money• Chains/ chainlets – Patch to Main Street

Connect and Hamlet Hubs

Hyperlocal Sites

University-based News Sites

Niche News Sites

Statewide Watchdog Sites

Journalism as Events

Journalism as Acts of Collaboration

Collaboration Models

• One-off enterprise reporting project• $5,000 award• Must collaborateStories:Tax delinquent propertiesBroadband capacityEducation reform

Niche Collaborative Sites

Ethical sensibility: “building” community, not just “covering” it

High Journalism Attributes

• Mission-Driven Reporting• Accountability journalism• Transparency• Crowdsourcing• Advocacy for community issues• Closer connections to audiences

Journalism Chops > Churn

jans@j-lab.org@janjlab