Your Neighborhood at The Star Press
Your Neighborhood at The Star Press
Submitted by kpaul.mallasch on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 12:00pm.Well, it seems that 'citizen journalism' is finally a newsworthy topic at The Star Press. No, they haven't finally decided it would be wise to at least mention Muncie Free Press once or twice. They have, though, started their own citizen journalism effort. It's being spearheaded by Phil Beebe (who used to be the Sports Editor...) I've submitted a piece on Muncie Free Press, which I imagine will be shot down like all my other attempts at coverage. (For the record, they did let me buy a classified ad...)
EDIT TO ADD: Hmm. Just noticed another business promoting themselves via their Armed and Famous blog. They're moderated comments there, so I know someone approved it...Screenshot...
Doesn't seem to be anything there yet, though. Will be interesting to see what happens.
My question for Evan Miller and Juli Metzger, though, is if they're ready to do a story on a successful citizen journalism start-up in their community that happens to be a competitor. I'm betting they still want to insist I'm irrelevant and don't exist. I'm willing to talk to them at any time, though. (Last I heard Metzger was going to 'do her homework' on me and get back to me.)
In any case, best of luck to them in their effort. Things are getting interesting.
Technorati Tags: Corporate New Media Editorial New Media Independent Online Participatory Journalism
- Login to post comments
- 975 reads
Denied by Gannett
I quote:
Still no answer on why I'm not newsworthy enough.
And it's not that I expected them to run a story on their competitor, but I wish they would be honest as to the reason why...
-kpaul
more
here...about Gannett's lopsided view of what 'citizen journalism' is... No, sorry Gannett, it doesn't just mean free content to keep your profit margin up...
man...
for trying to promote 'citizen journalism' they certainly are going through a lot of trouble to keep this citizen quiet... enough, though. back to work... ;)
helping the citizens
speaking of doing real citizen journalism - just had an email from someone having trouble with Gaston Town Council audio - something we've been providing to the community online (for free) if they can't make the meetings. Anyway, he had a question about one of them and I had to help him out. Shows something, though, I think, about Muncie Free Press - that we *are* helping people in the community (and protecting the American way of life) and that, as a result of that, we are newsworthy.
heh.
four or five of my comments deleted today on the TSP forums. no explanation. no warnings of any sort. none of them mentioned MFP directly, either.
something i noticed
it seems they *may have* changed some wording since I talked to them earlier today. (Well, emailed - they wouldn't answer my phone calls or return them...)
In any case, from their page:
I'm almost positive "(but we will not accept material that is promotional in nature)." was added, but I'm not 100% sure (been a busy day with a Senator being mugged, etc...) Anyway, it was on a graphic too, I think, without that last bit. I'm trying to see if I can find it again and am kicking myself for now getting a screenshot when I could.
As always, I'm willing to talk to Phil Beebe, Evan Miller (the editor) or Juli Metzger (the publisher) about this here in front of our peers or privately in person.
I've been asked
by at least one person today why I'm bringing this up, why I'm not instead concentrating on my site (Muncie Free Press...) Well, that's simple, really. By pointing out they're making a 'business' decision, I *am* doing my job as a citizen journalist. I've tried numerous times to contact them, offering free help, etc. all to no avail. I'm a competitor and they won't work with me.
By pointing out failings of mainstream media (like this one), I'm showing *why* we need sites like mine out there. When those who were created to be watchers of big business *become* big business, there's a problem. I'm just trying to point that out.
Did have a lot of other stuff on my plate today - 100 or so fliers distributed on campus, trying to get details of Senator Errington's mugging, and about a bajillion other things. Ok, maybe not that many, but you get the idea. This isn't the only thing I've done today, but it's an important one that I hope shows the reality of companies like Gannett starting 'citizen journalism' efforts...
Welcome to the Blogosphere Phil Beebe... Oh, wait. You don't have a blog, do you? ;)
Well, here's their lineup so far...
"Business Owner Receives National Certification" and another press release. Heh. Goes to show they're just trying to silence me. It's not going to work, though. Thanks to all the bloggers out there for backing me up on this one.
The Star Press
blogged Armed and Famous premiere tonight 'live'... one commenter showed up. also, i was told Phil Beebe (conversations/community editor) doesn't have a blog. he might at some time in the future. they're not sure. heh. at least they're trying, though, right?