Busy week ahead for my community media project

MASSIVE week for my would-be community media hub project.

On Saturday I’m off to Talk About Local’s Unconference in Stoke, where I’m hoping to meet loads of people who’ve set up their own hyperlocal sites and run their own projects.

I’m sure I’m going to learn so much about social media and hyperlocal projects at the unconference and meet a wealth of invaluable contacts.

Since setting up this blog, I’ve found loads of projects pretty similar to my own in terms of their central idea of improving communities’ access to local information and services following the destertion of mainstream press, as well as establishing a community reporters’ scheme. And I thought I was a trail-blazer all on my own – curses!

What I’ve seen and read has me convinced that the growing ‘community media’ sector has a major part to play in unpholding democracy, empowering communities and providing local news in the future.

And next week, I’m meeting with Gary Copitch from Manchester-based People’s Voice Media. Hopefully his advice and experience dealing with setting up projects and locating revenue streams will be invaluable.

Exciting times ahead!

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