This last decade, Gannett’s 85 papers launched more than 1,000 local specialty publications. A year ago, Gannett adopted a strategy to transform its newsrooms into “local information centers” and develop niche audience sites, as well as local databases. Tribune Co. has developed its own version of local news with Triblocal, which seems to be faring successfully, although Edmonds notes that the service has done little service to the newspapers apart from offering “directives to eliminate bureaus, cut staff, and trim newsroom expenses.”

As far as the business of local coverage goes, investors are still waiting to see the potential benefits. Gannett stock is off 50% from its high in early 2004.

Granted, for many papers, increasing local coverage is more of a necessity than a choice. With the rise of online news and simply the multiplication of outlets, “it stands to reason that nearly any newspaper’s franchise—now and in the foreseeable future—will be local news, probably with distinctive variations in print and online,” says Edmonds.

But many papers are opting for cheap and staff-light online sites, relying on the community to produce content.

“However, what I’ve observed on such sites are lots more pet pictures and Little League results than news reporting about or discussion of important local issues,” says Edmonds.

“And when looked at through the lens of business entities, nearly all are characterized by sparse advertising.”
According to Edmonds, another solution to local news is the use of targeted zoned editions. Thanks to zoning, the St. Petersburg Times has succeeded in running 320,000 daily paid copies in a relatively small community. Other strong examples include the Fort Worth Star Telegram and Daily Herald in suburban Chicago.

But, as 2008 begins, Edmonds' outlook on newspapers’ orientation towards local news remains prudent. A standard and successful business and editorial model has yet to emerge.

See this other piece about the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s local strategy, also discussed in the Nieman Report.

Source: Nieman Report