On the second floor of London furniture store, three journalists are busy completing the latest version of the newsletter covering everything from local food banks to nearby cafes.
slice is a local magazine and a family of four hyperlocal online news sites that serve the small tower village of one of the most diverse but deprived communities in the UK.
When local newspapers are closed nationwide, slice Founder and editor Tabitha Stapley explained that “it’s all about financially sustainable local journalism models in the field of deprivation.”
slice Its website is owned by a nonprofit founded by former fashion journalist Stapley.
It is funded by approximately 500 paid subscribers, including readers and local businesses, who receive exclusive newsletters in exchange for helping to make free publications for everyone.
Even the office location is local, and the furniture store owner provides the space for free in exchange for occasional advertising.
“The most exciting thing about this work for me is that we are trying something new,” said Associate Editor, Agatha Scaggiante, another full-time staffer, along with Stapley only.
Jonathan Heawood, executive director of the Public Interest News Foundation (PINF), said the newsroom is a big hope in the UK, knocked down by the so-called “news desert” with about 4.8 million people… in areas without local news coverage. ”
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According to “The The The The The The The” report By bulletin.
These include family newspapers that have been passed down from generation to generation, as well as newspapers that have been published for more than 100 years.
Today, today’s local news model often includes a website that contains torrent ads with the area and pop-up ads, which are “uninspired and untouched” for readers. AFP.
As a result, even the remaining approximately 1,200 local news outlets are struggling with cuts and desolate resources.
According to Haywood, local news “has great social benefits”, introducing local institutions and democratic processes to people, reducing polarization and creating “pride.”
News Desert “is not just a grey area on the map. People feel like they don’t have a person who can represent them,” Ximu said. “People really mourn.”
According to Stapley, the film was launched in 2018 and is the only professional newspaper with its local team serving more than 300,000 residents of Tower Hamlets. About 8,000 people signed the newsletter.
In last year’s general election, the team conducted a video interview with candidates from all the MPs in the Tali Village: “So people can actually see them.”
People need an example’
From Manchester to Glasgow, Joshi Herrmann’s Media is promoting another form of regional news: the characteristics of long reading and in-depth research, from local culture to corruption.
and Manchester Factory In 2020, Herrmann now has six local publications in the UK, with approximately 20 employees.
They have investigated the toxic working culture at the University of Manchester and viewed Labour MPs as landlords of safety standards for children’s homes.
Hermann told AFP.
Millman said Mill Media will reach 10,000 in the coming months, receiving significant support in 2023 investment investments. It has 500,000 readers and as of June, it is even shattering.
“It really feels like people are pushing for fast fashion, and people are opposing fast news,” Victoria Munro said. Sheffield Tribune.
when Mill Mancunian Sophie Atkinson launched in Manchester and thought it “seems too good to achieve”.
“Manchester’s long-term journalism has been around for several years,” said Atkinson, now a senior editor.
Then forum Sheffield was launched in 2021 and has more than 500,000 residents with only one local resident a day.
“No one has ever done something like this email-based, subscription-based local media,” Hermann said. “People need an example that can work.”
Herrmann said that since then, similar newsletters and subscription-based local initiatives have exploded in the UK.
“There is reason to stay optimistic,” Hillwood said. However, he warned: “I don’t believe we will easily spend the next few years.”
He called on big tech companies to provide greater government support and change to make the internet a more profitable space for communities and independent media.
