I posted this open question on my Linkedin website and I got some interesting answers:
Answer 1: “I think there are two parts to the answer. A daily edition recapping all the stories prior to printing and all the traditional stuff-sports, classified, etc.
And then an online version that updates at least hourly.”
Answer 2: “Local Newspaper needs definition as in the past succesful local media cater to local geographic population
-On line and local seems at odds (re access)
-refine market segmentation may be needed
Else “local” newspaper would have ALL of he ABOVE
Quick, frequent Updates, Blogs, Local flavor services, features, hot spots reviews local buzz inclu government and civic,discounts and deals etc and hopefully a lot more reader, viewer interaction - Web 2.0.”
Answer 3: “Local events, political news, editorials, readers grievances which should reach the civic body authorities and demand explanations/responses, weather, sports, classifieds, deals/discounts at restaurants…”
Answer 4: “An online local newspaper should have a very need centric approach. It thus needs to provide plethora of home grown information. The news should be of kind and type, should be relevant and drawn out of context as well as prevailing situations. The online mode has to be discussion oriented with discussion boards and contributory features. The online medium should have mass appeal with kaleidoscope of features for people in the entire age bracket. This would only enhance the utility of the newspaper as it would be read by the masses and not just a class or section. The language needs to be simple as the idea should be to provide “informational content and not a fanciful editorial content”.
The local online daily should have lot of interactivity inbuilt in it. The daily should cover city specific highlights from all the strata’s. It should have the flavor and the material of the city. You should think of incorporating collaborative tools, should also be more open source. Think of a newspaper where “you can create and contribute to the process of news making”. You should also think of using filters and scanners to collect quality news. Also if the local online daily is made accessible to more number of people through various resource channels and touch points, will induce people to amplified consumption.”
Answer 5: “News updated at least hourly, features, editorial, local services, classifieds, offers readers’ comments on news/features and something that makes me want to return to read you rather than buy a local paper.
My local paper offers daily news, so I’d want a more frequent update from an on-line paper. I’d expect more interactive (web 2.0) type features as well such as being able to comment on news and features, maybe a connected forum to discuss local issues or the opportunity to contribute comment pieces myself perhaps via a blog (draft comment pieces could go to an editor for approval first).”
The last one was from my formed colleague Sarah who laughed-out-loud saying “I should by the local newspaper, why need a website?” kind of comment. I disagree. Digital goes way beyond with what can be done online, and print can only complement that.
Anyway, thanks to all who wrote back with very detailed comments, I have already used that for my research, and yes, check out the ‘journalism in the changing world‘ newest posting about exactly that, local, local, local… journalism?
anabakalinova