MediaBlather

Does print still have value? The people at Neighborsgo.com would argue that it does. This website, which is a spinoff ofthe Dallas Morning News, is using a social network to anchor a community journalism initiative. Local residents create profiles and post information about their interests.

Every week, editors dig through comments from citizens and produce 18 local print editions. Here’s a description of how it works. The opportunity to be featured in print is a major impetus for local residents to contribute, says managing editor Oscar Martínez (left). And it may actually be a jump start for careers. One journalism student has used her trip to Beijing to contribute a series of articles on the preparations for the Olympics. The visibility she’s received has been worth more than any internship could offer.

Martínez is a career newspaper guy who made the switch to online media eight years ago. He understands the difficulties that print journalists are experiencing in moving to a new medium. In this audio interview, he talks about the innovations that are working for Neighborsgo and how journalists can find their distinct value in a new world of consumer-generated media.

To play the interview, click here. To download, right-click the link and save to a local file (49:53)