Are you a hyperlocal covering this year’s general and local elections? If so, then Online Journalism Blog would love to hear from you!
In particular, we’d love to hear what you’re doing and how it is going, as well as if you’ve encountered any problems/challenges. Do leave comments below or contact us via Twitter.
We’ll then feature links to your coverage in a future post, as part of our wider efforts to showcase the great work being done by this sector, as well as where local publishers might need more help in terms of access to candidates, accreditation etc.
Related reading:
-
Stop being a snob: 10 ways hyperlocal media is contributing to UK journalism, 02 May 2015
-
Hyperlocal media and engagement with political parties: what’s been your experience? 22 May 2014
- Our Hyperlocal Voices series of interviews with local practitioners
Online Journalism Blog 
Reblogged this on Damian Radcliffe.
As an online hyperlocal that focuses on arts, culture and alternative things in Reading – we decided to focus on particular issues this election on Alt Reading.
We looked at polls suggesting how Reading would vote if you stripped away personalities:
http://www.altreading.com/how-would-reading-vote-on-policy-alone/
We looked into the history and peculiarities in Reading’s electoral past:
http://www.altreading.com/6-election-facts-about-reading/
We reviewed local art focusing on politics and the election:
http://www.altreading.com/review-campaign-in-poetry-the-emma-press/
Finally, we gave an in-depth analysis on how each party’s manifestos could affect arts and culture locally:
http://www.altreading.com/how-will-the-general-election-impact-arts-in-reading/
Hi there … am a bit late on the scene, and haven’t really managed to pull things together for #GE2015. Am tweeting quite a bit, tho’ happier at national than local level. Local seems challenging, as if you shouldn’t make waves (my perception), and this could cause issues after the election (again, my perception, I’m sure).
Anyhow, for what it’s worth, I’ve been working on #hyperlocal in Chester since late January, and have posted today an overview of where I am at the moment. Slightly off-topic, but maybe of interest to someone?
Just a by-the-by: I’ve been trialling wiki software as the engine for #hyperlocal, which I realise is not standard practice, but am adapting my approach as the link below will show …
http://wonder.wtf/2015/05/05/on-matters-of-hyperlocal-journalism-squaring-the-circles-of-familiarity-vs-functionality/
I run a hyperlocal for Tongwynlais, which is a small village in the Cardiff North constituency. 2010 was a 194 vote Conservative win.
I decided to cover the election in late 2014 and made two early decisions: to create an “election hub” using RebelMouse, which is embedded on my website and to create a separate Twitter account so I didn’t annoy my current followers.
Over the last 6 months, I’ve concentrated on presenting non-partisan information about the candidates and reporting from the hustings throughout the constituency. I also arranged a “Tweet Chat” with the candidates.
The candidates have been very good in responding to me and providing information. My final post, “Cardiff North 2015: Everything You Need to Know” shows how each candidate responded to my requests. The weren’t very proactive in sending me information, I usually had to push them for it. (With some exceptions)
I also contacted previous MPs to find out what they did in their time in Westminster and submitted lots of information to “Your Next MP”, which was a very positive experience.
If I’m honest, I’ve been disappointed with the interest it’s generated. Considering my audience has gone up from 2,000 to 60,000, I’ve not had a significant increase in traffic. It’s peaked a little over the last two days but not by much.
Perhaps the coverage was too mundane but to be honest there hasn’t been any drama or scandal. Everyone’s been very cordial and polite for a hyper-marginal.
I’ve enjoyed the experience and I hope it’s been a useful resource for some. It’s Assembly elections next year and local the next!
https://twitter.com/cardiffnorth15
http://tongwynlais.com/cardiffnorth2015
http://tongwynlais.com/2015/05/04/cardiff-north-2015-everything-you-need-to-know/
http://storify.com/tongwynlais
Well, provided several posts including scans of all local candidates and their ‘promises’, photo post of local candidates at the local market campaigning (inc Kenneth Clarke) – plus a post of all polling stations in the area. Intend to be out on 7th at the very least with photos or video of polling in action (that kind of thing we’ll see what happens on the day!)
http://westbridgfordwire.com/2015/04/30/what-are-your-local-election-candidates-promising-you/
http://westbridgfordwire.com/2015/04/25/planning-poverty-and-buses-what-they-said-at-the-farmers-market/
http://westbridgfordwire.com/2015/04/25/pictures-election-fever-in-west-bridgford-today/
Will probably post today with just polling station details again
Pat
This is my second general election as WHampstead / westhampsteadlife.com, I held a hustings that more than 150 people came to, I’ve interviewed the candidates, and been active on Twitter. Hampstead & Kilburn was the tightest three-way in the UK in 2010 and the smallest majority (42 votes for Labour) in England last time. Glenda Jackson is stepping down, so we’re guaranteed a new MP
I have been given press accreditation to attend the count tonight, as I did in 2010 (and for the local elections last year), which will be for Hampstead & Kilburn and Holborn & St Pancras. Expecting it to be lively. I’m also going to be reporting for Dan Snow’s online-only unelection.org.uk coverage.
In Kings Cross i live tweeted a husting organised by a local civic society and the local paper and embedded that in the blog.
http://kingscrossenvironment.com/2015/04/13/islington-south-and-finsbury-hustings-13-april-2015-live-tweets-islsfhust-ge2015/
having done this i didn’t feel the need to ask candidates for a statement for the blog (my original plan) as i felt the issues were well covered in the live tweets.
on polling day i put up a post on where to vote
http://kingscrossenvironment.com/2015/05/06/where-can-i-vote-in-kings-cross/
which so far is about 50% more popular than an average post (writing at 1800)
I also did a couple of basic posts on who are the candidates etc after declarations
neither of our seats here are knife edge (Holborn and St Pancras – dead safe, Islington South – once an ultra marginal now not so at all) which didn’t inspire me to put huge effort into coverage.