Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Local paper seeks (ahem) "Community Bloggers"
The Haringey independent has launched an appeal for Community Bloggers.
Hurrah!!
But, hang on; back up a bit there. Don't community bloggers blog on community websites; umm, like this one? Is Newsquest (Haringey Independent) perhaps really after unpaid journalists to assist in a for-profit set-up?
Nothing intrinsically wrong with that if it is what they're about. It could be a useful opportunity for someone to start a career in journalism, but I wish they'd be more up-front about what they're doing, if that's what they're doing.
Or, am I just being too much of a cynic?
Hurrah!!
But, hang on; back up a bit there. Don't community bloggers blog on community websites; umm, like this one? Is Newsquest (Haringey Independent) perhaps really after unpaid journalists to assist in a for-profit set-up?
Nothing intrinsically wrong with that if it is what they're about. It could be a useful opportunity for someone to start a career in journalism, but I wish they'd be more up-front about what they're doing, if that's what they're doing.
Or, am I just being too much of a cynic?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Liz on
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No, that's what I thought too. There's nothing wrong with offering people the chance to write for a local paper. I actually think that isn't such a bad idea and could be a good way, as you say, for someone to get some work experience or even keep their hand in if they've done it before.
However, we know that local papers can't afford to pay journalists to cover 'little news' any more so they are trying to get it on the cheap with volunteers. Again, not a problem for the reasons I outlined above but, I agree with you that they should just say so instead of dressing it up as 'community blogging'.
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Permalink Reply by John D on
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Be interesting though to see who's going to be responsible for balance and accuracy.
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Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on
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I wondered when the local media would try this.
Trying to hang on to their profits, owners of newspapers have made dysfunctional "savings" by stripping away the one essential component of news media - real journalism. And hiring fewer and fewer journalists. As a result, the quality of their product has become poor and they're having to give it away.
So, just like politicians who'd love unpaid volunteers to replace librarians, teachers, and care workers, the publishers now want to replace journalists. In fact, they're already doing it. I've met young people who are supposedly gaining experience of journalism by doing it for nothing. One young woman told me this is now the norm in San Francisco. Except that there was a catch. When her work experience ended there was no job. Just replacement by another volunteer.
As part of my work as councillor I have a photoblog. But I'm neither a journalist nor a photographer. I respect the skills of both those professions and want to see them thrive.
As is often the case, the most helpful thinker on this is Clay Shirky. For example, two of his blog entries. One was last year. Another on 1 April this year.
(Labour councillor & candidate Tottenham Hale ward.)
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Permalink Reply by Clive Carter on
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"Trying to hang on to their profits" is tendentious way of putting it. How about, just trying to survive or trying to protect the remaining jobs, under threat from the internet and cuts in advertising. Greed is attributed to their owners, but I don't envy their situation. A situation they didn't bring about, although you could criticse them for not adapting fast enough.
Without profits, there are no jobs. In the long run, even heavily protected council jobs depend on taxes on income originating in the private sector.
Every copy of a local newspaper sold is a purchased copy by a willing buyer. The council's free sheet faces no real world pressure and has unlimited funds to play with: force-funded by taxes. I was once told by a former manager at Alexandra Palace that advertising in HP is highly expensive ... which is probably why there's little or no non-council advertising in it.
I for one would not welcome the demise of local newspapers, which seems to be the sub text. Even if they are "trying to hang on to their profits" (or possibly minimizing losses). That would leave the field open to the single, propagandist local publication of this council, part of their large and expensive PR communications machine.
This council would love that, wouldn't they?
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Clive, could I possibly invite you, just for a little while, to gently put aside your wise and noble thoughts and sensible strictures on: Ally Pally; the Haringey People magazine; and even the Council's PR "machine".
Instead, make a fresh pot of coffee. Lean back in your favourite chair. And read Clay Shirky. Ponder. Sleep on it. Reflect some more.
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You can so invite me Alan, but I won't be distracted (although I am drinking the coffee)! BTW, how many times have you mentioned Clay Shirky? That wouldn't in any sense be a diversionary tactic, would it?!
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Permalink Reply by pamish on
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Cross-ref how LBH are gathering free photos by running a photo competion where they keep free use of all submitted images, that should be useful for the next few issues of Haringey People...
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Well noted pamish.
Is this chiselling of resident-photographers part of a desire by Haringey to try to "hang on to their profits"?
"we will endeavor to credit you as the photographer" is equivalent to "we may not credit you" and much less than a promise to give credit, as it should be. What a cheek. This will be the doing of the Council's PR machine, or as Alan might prefer, the Communications Department.
When I saw Hugh's posting My Haringey Photo Competion, I first read it as being Hugh's competition! Now I release it is part of the deeply-dumbed-down "My Haringey" campaign, running alongside HP (Hopeless Propaganda) magazine. This plumbs new depths intelligence-insulting. It's equivalent to Microsoft's "My Computer" label, which was probably the insolent inspiration for the PR team at LBH.
The My Haringey campaign is also a waste of our taxes which could be spent on more useful things. I would urge photographers not to feed this PR animal.
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Permalink Reply by matt on
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Clive
Read; Council-run newspapers not a misuse of public money, watchdog decides. The Guardian 25 January 2010.
However there was an update on this last week, which I cannot find at the moment, which I think said a further investigation will happen into the effect of free council newspapers/mags on the revenues/survival of the so called local newspapers.
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Nor did he believe there were grounds to argue that councils were using public money to further a political agenda, as some newspaper editors in areas with rival council publications have alleged. "The current accountability framework (which includes the role of auditors) provides adequate safeguards against misuse of public money for political ends," the letter said.
I was surprised that the Audit Commission, which has better things to do with their time, decided to weigh in on a what is a political issue. I think their position on the editioral content of the council free-sheets is evidence of how politicised departments of State have become under this government.
What special qualifications does the Audit Commission have to comment on media bias? The preponderence of photos in Haringey People of smiling "Executive Cabinet" members of the Majority Group and largely excluding photos of minority group councillors can be seen even by non-accountants!
In my opinion, the comments tend to reduce the credibility and impartiality of the Audit Commission, one of a number of quangos, like the Charity Commission which have become politicised.
A watch dog? More like Lap dog.
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