It's online now that most of us are accessing the news and journalism we want to hear and read about. While it's clearly democratising to be able to pick up your phone and find out instantly what's happening around the world - and around the corner, much of what is really important can get lost behind a barrage of information and advertising that is sometimes homogenous and in danger of locking us all into an echo chamber that isn't fit for purpose.
But thanks to the foresight and creative brilliance of the people at Burnley Words Festival – a new project has just kicked-off in the East Lancs town (initially running for 10 weeks), funded by the Shared Prosperity Fund and administered by Burnley Council and Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Council for Voluntary Service – and our Mag North team are going to be working with residents from across communities to ‘do it for themselves’ – and create a sustainable online publication that is set to be developed and managed by the people – for the people.
Currently over 250 individuals and community groups across the UK have taken the leap to create their own unique, independent, alternative and local source of news and information through a mix of social enterprises, community interest businesses and voluntary services – effecting massive community/employability/health and personal development change. This movement – often referred to as ‘Hyperlocal Journalism’, is a key driver of enhanced social cohesion and it can connect and engage all of us to address local issues and affect positive change.
And you don’t just have to take our word for it. The view from Cardiff University’s Centre for Community Journalism is clear: ‘Independent community and hyperlocal news publishers are active in supporting or starting local campaigns. More than half engage in investigative reporting, which has helped uncover new information about local civic issues. Almost half of those publications are run by individuals with little or no initial journalistic training or experience working in the mainstream media. The most common topic covered by independent community and hyperlocal news publications is community activities e.g. local councils and the services they provide, festivals, events, and societies.’
Building from the ground up, we’re working with the people of Burnley to create a Steering Group and editorial team who’ll decide how they'll manage content, publication, reporting, social media – and accessing what’s of interest and important to residents.
Initial conversations have already identified support for creating an online platform to showcase writers and other creatives from the town and the surrounding areas. The wealth of creativity and talent to be found locally can be curated by a team of writers, artists and photographers (and others) to enhance collaboration and networking opportunities.
An appetite to create a platform that will focus on the stories and the people of Burnley is also evident at this early stage: ‘A place where the stories of local people get the attention they deserve.’ It’s planned the new publication will report on and respond in creative ways to local news, heritage and the things that matter to the community.
The next two scheduled meetings for anyone keen to be involved with this exciting new project are:
Thursday 24 October, 7pm-9pm (you can join late if you need to) at The Salon, 160 St James’ Street (formerly The Red Triangle Café),
Monday 28 October, 10am-12pm at Down Town (above New Look) in Charter Walk.
For further information, or if you’d like to come along to one (or both) sessions, please drop us a line at:
Stephie: stephie@culturapedia.co
Colin: colin@mag-north.com
