How hyperlocal could resuscitate town hall debate

A stint at the local newspaper is often seen as a mere stepping stone on the path to journalistic greatness. It is a mind-numbing chore of writing endlessly about saving pet rescue centres and village fêtes, or so I thought before I embarked on a journalism course. All of this changed after I completed a module in local government for my course. Far from a being tedious trawl, the whole experience made me realise the wealth of the material sitting outside my front door.

Given the decay of local newspapers, any aspiring journalist should consider it their duty to cover their local patch. Even if an individual does not work directly for their paper or undertake work experience there, a personal hyperlocal site or blog is still a form of journalism. The contribution is still beneficial and for those looking to build up a portfolio of work and hone their craft: it is perfect.

I know my local area inside out. It is where I grew up: it is my beat. Many local newspapers are understaffed and overstretched, to the detriment of the residents. There are so many stories out there that are just not being covered. These days there is very little reporting on court cases or council meetings.

My local paper has been in a spiralling cycle of decline for some time and whenever I get the opportunity, I try to report on local news. Each time I write something I feel a little better for supporting local news. I see my work, even if it doesn’t make it into the paper, as a way of creating important information on my local area. I am supporting my paper. I can still post a blog covering a local issue and publicise it on Twitter and Facebook.

Then there is the issue of David Cameron’s proposals to put the powers of accountability back into the hands of the people. Without a strong local press to process and deliver this information to the people, how can the electorate effectively hold local authorities to account? They can’t.

These days I follow my local papers on Twitter so I get their breaking stories as they happen. I follow my local authority, local charities, hyperlocal sites, I add councillors on Facebook. I try to keep eyes and ears open as I walk down my local high street. The camera on my phone is sufficient to capture any impromptu shots. I am by no means the ideal journalist but I am endeavouring to be.

This is my rallying call to all those who want to be journalists. There is nothing stopping us. The tools and technology to publish our work is all there. All that remains is to go out there and commit acts of journalism.