The future of local news

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The future of local news

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I am sitting in this session now:

Here are my notes:

CAL
People see the news from the perspective of their own front porch
There is a demand for local news / this perspective
News is personally tailored to meet their needs
Therefore the need for 'broad' casted news is lessened

TROY
It is our duty to know what is happening (NOTE: the assumption is that that is the news)

MIKE
People come to a community site because of on air personalities (who represent the community)

RENATO
New Canadians are interested in what's happening around the world
I wish sometimes that we didn't have so many tools
Wish you could throw away the newsfeeds, wires and other sources

DAN
Technology has proven the need for strong local news content
It is so important that they will use new technology to find and participate in covering the story
Broadcasters are no longer in control of the news agenda
New technologies will never totally replace local news broadcasts because people will always choose the hi def / hi res alternative.

RICHARD
Local news has a bright future because the audience wants it
But we are on the edge of the cliff in terms of viability
The fee for carriage decision will be detrimental to the business

TROY
The decline in local TV may be traced back to the CRTC's latest decision
CBC pulled out of local news may be the beneficiary of this decision
The 'stand up' guys who have been investing in local news will not benefit from this fund

RICHARD
News is the second biggest cost in our operation
The return is questionable at best
I.e. Vancouver Island
We have been innovative
Sought out new audiences
Dropped into remote areas
We spend 4 million / year.  The revenue in our best year was 2 million.

DAN
Attract a younger audience with good, meaningful content and expand the platform for receiving the content.
Also package in a way that is attractive to them (i.e. Well written)
Internet years are dog years (i.e. 7!)
Convergence is so 1998
Blogging is so 2001
If you're not microblogging now you're headed toward oblivion
The only stations that survive are the ones that form strong relationships with their audiences

MIKE
Younger audience wants a different kind of content.  Not just repackaged old media stuff

DAN
People think low fi, youtube type content more credible

TROY
The sweetspot in CJ is figuring out how to meld trust of brand and broad array of good, free content

RENATO
CJ is a great resource that we need to tap into