David D. Kurpius

Defining hyperlocal media: Proposing a framework for discussion

Although the word ‘hyperlocal’ appears regularly in discussions about the future of the news media, there is no agreed-upon definition for the term. Recognizing that shortcoming, we demonstrate the need for a more precise definition. We then propose a definition and criteria for evaluating media operations described as hyperlocal. Finally, we apply our working definition to six operations widely regarded as exemplars of the hyperlocal prototype, comparing each to established standards of journalism and to one another. We conclude that hyperlocal media operations are evolving on a continuum. As they evolve, these organizations will showcase both a range of journalism acting in the public good and engagement facilitated through interactive media. We expect the definition of hyperlocal to evolve, too, as more voices enter the discussion and closer attention is given to the characteristics of websites deemed worthy of the appellation.

Sources and Civic Journalism: Changing Patterns of Reporting?

Research studies consistently demonstrate a disproportionate use of elites, males, and non-minorities as sources. Previous research demonstrated that only enterprise reporting altered journalistic routines and therefore improved source diversity. Civic journalism is a decade-old, foundation-driven effort to encourage journalism organizations to alter their coverage routines to better reflect communities and the public dialogue on issues. Civic journalism encourages greater depth of knowledge of communities, alternative framing for stories, and developing sources within layers of civic life (from officials to private individuals). This study of 1,071 sources in 184 television entries to the James K. Batten Civic Journalism Awards found that civic journalism improved traditional source diversity for women and minorities.

SUSTAINING HYPERLOCAL MEDIA

As traditional media operations struggle to find their footing in a world of rapidly evolving interactive technology and economic turmoil, media innovators are exploring new ways to identify, collect, and disseminate information. One innovation that is attracting attention is the development of hyperlocal media. Hyperlocal media are characterized by their narrow focus on a handful of topics or geographic areas, but they vary widely in the type and reliability of funding that supports their operations; the training, expertise, and size of their staffs; and their ability to attract an audience. They also follow in a long line of media reform efforts that have tried to fill the gap in public affairs coverage left by the shrinking traditional media, including civic journalism, C-SPAN (Cable–Satellite Public Affairs Network), and statewide public affairs television networks. And like these earlier reform efforts, hyperlocal media operations face the same dilemma—how to create a sustainable funding model that will allow them to provide the information members of the public need. This paper examines the various funding models used by hyperlocal media operations and assesses whether they are sustainable for the long term.

A Citizen-Eye View of Television News Source Credibility

This experimental study used 244 participants to investigate citizen perceptions of news sources focusing on source credibility. Ten television news stories were created with varying source affiliation (officials or citizens), source race (African American or Caucasian), and type of story (hard or soft news). For the first time, results showed viewers do distinguish between the credibility of official and citizen sources. No difference was found in credibility on the basis of race. Results are discussed within the frameworks of civic journalism, hidden racism, and citizen sources.

Public Journalism and Commercial Local Television News: In Search of a Model

This research examines how commercial local television news operations alter organizational routines by changing coverage expectations. It is a case study of eight top television news organizations in small, medium, and large television markets. This research provides a better understanding of how news managers can change work routines without upsetting the journalistic normative structure. It looks at how television stations can operate within a profit-driven system to achieve goals of value to the civic community.

Bucking a trend in local television news Combating market-driven journalism

This research investigates whether projects and movements designed to change the norms of local television journalism have succeeded. It explores this question through the case of Best Practices 2000 (BP2K), a foundation-funded organization aimed at improving local television public affairs coverage. This research compares BP2K to two other recent attempts to improve or increase local television public affairs coverage - civic journalism and the Wisconsin Collaborative Project. Stations working to improve public affairs coverage are compared to traditional market-driven journalism stations. This study explores the extent to which these efforts can change news coverage, and in doing so deepens our knowledge of the norms of market-driven news routine, which these projects, at least implicitly, question.

A Case Study of Deliberative Democracy on Television: Civic Dialogue on C-SPAN Call-in Shows

Call-in programs have been specifically designed to give citizens a venue for offering their perceptions on various topics. The purposes of this exploratory study were to examine the extent to which callers brought in new political ideas and incorporated values, solutions, and consequences in their comments and to analyze the reactions of hosts/guests on C-SPANs Washington Journal. Content analysis of 225 callers revealed 27 percent of caller-generated topics presented new political information. Callers talked longer when the topic was new rather than old; seldom were values, solutions, or consequences discussed. The results are discussed in relation to Yankelovichs work on public judgment.

There's a New Gatekeeper in Town: How Statewide Public Affairs Television Creates the Potential for an Altered Media Model

Research has documented the diminishing resources traditional media devote to coverage of state government even as state government has grown increasingly complex. That places statehouse reporters across the country in the position of having to do more with less. This study examines what use reporters are making of a new tool—statewide public affairs television—and what effect that has had on state government coverage.

Civic Usability in Internet Journalism Classes

As online journalism takes on a larger role in informing the electorate about issues of importance, an understanding of how citizens interact with online journalistic content may be as important as what the content is. If a citizen is not able to find or use the information necessary to make decisions about community issues, the information is worthless. The capability to find and use online information is what the concept of usability is about. This paper presents a case study of how usability can be integrated experientially into an online journalism course. This process helps students better connect the needs of the citizens to the design and content of a Web site by seeing directly the basis for many usability standards.

Separate and Still Unequal: A Comparative Study of Blacks in Business Magazines

Through the use of a textual analysis, this study compares the contents of three business magazines--Forbes, Fortune, and Black Enterprise--and the way each covers the Black business community. The analysis reveals that the 2 mainstream business publications--Forbes and Fortune--focus almost entirely on covering the White-dominated corporate world, with the end result that Blacks and the Black business community are virtually invisible within their pages. The results support the work of other researchers who have found that the mainstream media are helping to perpetuate the White-dominated view of society that places minorities in general--and Blacks in particular--outside the norm. Black Enterprise, on the other hand, continues in the long tradition of the Black press, providing an alternative view of society through its focus on the Black business community.