Guest Blog - Local news, who makes it? By Gerry Stanhope

By Gerry Stanhope,
 

Barnet Press - A defunct local Newspaper

Back in the 'old days', local news was presented to us by local newspapers. We accepted what they told us because, well, they were qualified and accountable. The reporters had names, the newspaper had a proprietor, and a physical address.

But in recent years local newspapers have gone into decline. There are less of them, and they are often patched together in offices well away from the areas they report about.

Increasingly the vacuum left by local newspapers has been filled by electronic media. Some of us will find out more about local events and news via social media, especially Twitter.

But how can we assume this 'news' is reliable, balanced and transmitted by individuals who have a real sense of fair and balanced reporting?

Just because someone sets up an online 'newspaper',  it doesn't necessarily mean it is an adequate replacement for the role printed newspapers once had. If the same individual(s) uses Twitter and Facebook to promote the activity, often with multiple accounts,  should we not be suspicious of their motives? 

Why do these accounts follow Hyper local accounts

One individual can have several Twitter accounts, that on first viewing appear to be unconnected. However there are instances where these accounts will then spin their own 'stories',  seeking to artificially amplify what they are saying. Furthermore some of these Twitter accounts will boast that they have thousands of followers, but can you be sure those followers are genuine?

We should question what is broadcast to us, and perhaps ask, who is this benefiting? If the content of a 'newspaper' is reflecting the interests of the individual(s) publishing it, or even the people who appear in the 'articles' or the advertisements and promotions?

I have recently seen a local 'newspaper' that says that the editorial is produced by 'The Community'.  No names, just that rather strange and intriguing reference.

I am not saying there is no room for enterprise when it comes to news gathering and distribution,  but what I am saying is that there needs to be more accountability and proof.

I would also suggest that the reader needs to be a little more critical of the content they are consuming. Be more curious. Ask the news source, ask what their motives are, ask where the information came from. Ask them to back up their claims with proof.

There is also a point to be made about the sort of person who puts together these 'newspapers'- what are their motives? What do they hope to gain from it? 

Local news should not be 'owned' by individuals,  especially when those individuals are seemingly anonymous and unaccountable.
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Guest blogs are always welcome at The Barnet Eye. Gerry Stanhope is a resident of Edgware and works in Mill Hill. If you wish to submit a guest blog, CLICK HERE TO SEND YOUR COPY. The Barnet Eye publishes guest blogs of interest to Residents of the London Borough of Barnet