Local Digital Media Outlets Galvanize Neighborhoods

Washington's panoply of hyperlocal news media is filling the holes left by tradition outlets as web 2.0 expands. Since many of the local newspapers have folded, bloggers and other digital media have grown to cover matters at the local level.

December 4, 2010, 9am PST | George Haugh

Workers up and down Pennsylvania Avenue and K Street might be the city's recognized power players, but it's the District's neighborhoods that give it character-and it's those neighborhoods that will shape the next phase of Washington media. Blogs like the DCist and others regularly focus on just a few blocks.

'Given the diverse demographics and community needs among Washington's neighborhoods, it's not surprising that the District has been a hotbed of growth for hyperlocal news coverage,' explains Kara Hadge.

New media is also having an effect in areas where newspapers haven't, like development planning. Take for example Greater Greater Washington, a blog written by David Alper which last spring broke news of planned last minute cut of a new $1.5 billion streetcar project. Alper provided a number for the Council Chairman's office with his post which led to an inundation of requests to halt the cut. In response, the council reinstated $47 million for the streetcar project

Full Story:

How Hyperlocal Media Are Taking Urban Planning To the Streets

Published on Tuesday, November 23, 2010 in Next American City