In order to save local journalism, we have to let go of nostalgia and focus on three core values, writes retired editor and newspaper-association manager Dennis Hetzel.
The first, and most important, he writes, is that you shouldn't try to choose between quality and quantity of local news; you have to have both. "Here's my hypothesis: Outlets with 'lots of local news' do better with audience growth and retention and probably financially," Hetzel writes. "Alisa Cromer of Local Media Insider has been examining the traits of successful papers. Beyond geographic and demographic advantages, she found this commonality: 'For the super-healthy newspapers, exclusive local news is more than a product; it is their superpower.'"
Hetzel believes publications should put a higher priority on finding the best ways to harness artificial intelligence, social media, reader submissions, staff structures, partnerships with other organizations or publications, and other strategies that generate more local content but leave reporters time to report in-depth stories.
The second core value is mentoring and training new journalists, Hetzel writes. Young reporters have a harder time finding mentors these days because reporters and editors are often stretched thin and don't have the time. Also, publications generally have smaller training and travel budgets for professional development. Young reporters are passionate about what they do, but they can be lured to other professions with higher pay and better support. So news outlets, universities, press associations and news nonprofits must do a better job of nurturing young talent.
The third core value: great visuals and smart storytelling. Audiences love great photography and multimedia, but photography budget cuts have shifted the task to reporters with smartphones. "Sometimes that's good enough, but certainly not always," Hetzel writes.
Hetzel has been a reporter, editor, general manager and publisher at newspapers in Madison, Wis.; York, Pa.; and Cincinnati. In his 13 years as editor and publisher of the York Daily Record, the paper won awards from the Scripps Howard Foundation a Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award.
The first, and most important, he writes, is that you shouldn't try to choose between quality and quantity of local news; you have to have both. "Here's my hypothesis: Outlets with 'lots of local news' do better with audience growth and retention and probably financially," Hetzel writes. "Alisa Cromer of Local Media Insider has been examining the traits of successful papers. Beyond geographic and demographic advantages, she found this commonality: 'For the super-healthy newspapers, exclusive local news is more than a product; it is their superpower.'"
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| Dennis Hetzel |
The second core value is mentoring and training new journalists, Hetzel writes. Young reporters have a harder time finding mentors these days because reporters and editors are often stretched thin and don't have the time. Also, publications generally have smaller training and travel budgets for professional development. Young reporters are passionate about what they do, but they can be lured to other professions with higher pay and better support. So news outlets, universities, press associations and news nonprofits must do a better job of nurturing young talent.
The third core value: great visuals and smart storytelling. Audiences love great photography and multimedia, but photography budget cuts have shifted the task to reporters with smartphones. "Sometimes that's good enough, but certainly not always," Hetzel writes.
Hetzel has been a reporter, editor, general manager and publisher at newspapers in Madison, Wis.; York, Pa.; and Cincinnati. In his 13 years as editor and publisher of the York Daily Record, the paper won awards from the Scripps Howard Foundation a Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award.
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