Tracking independent local news projects in Mass.

After I reported last week that Gannett was dropping most local news from its Massachusetts weekly newspapers in favor of regional coverage, I heard from a few independent hyperlocal publishers, several of them with projects I wasn’t familiar with. So I started compiling a list of independent news organizations, putting out the word for nominations on Twitter and Facebook.

The titles came pouring in. Independent journalism is alive and well in Massachusetts, and though I’m sure many of the projects I found are economically marginal, they’re providing the kind of granular community coverage that you just can’t get from a corporate chain-owned newspaper. There are weekly newspapers on my list as well as digital-only projects, a few dailies and even a couple of radio stations.

I’ve got nearly 200 entries, sortable by the name of the project, the community and the type. Some, like the Berkshire Eagle, serve multiple communities; most cover just one town or neighborhood. I’ve added a link to the menu bar for easy access. Meanwhile, please keep those nominations coming — just send an email to me at dan dot kennedy at northeastern dot edu.

Check out the full list by clicking here.

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6 thoughts on “Tracking independent local news projects in Mass.”

  1. A few weeks ago I heard that my towns selectmen took an executive session vote to fire our town manager alleging misappropriation of town funds. The TM survived by one vote When I asked our community newspaper editor when this story would be covered (this was the talk of the town) the editor knew nothing about this controversy and gave me the impression that this story would not appear.
    The death of real community journalism
    Rick Pozniak

    Sent from my iPad

  3. Hi Dan,

    I will do more than send you a correction or addition, I’m going to send you a copy of HometownWeekly. I wish it was a better paper, but still, I emailed them and asked them if they were hiring journalists and they said they didn’t but that they would take freelance work. They told me to send them my resume and a sample of my writing. I will do that, this town needs way better coverage.

    Best,

    Desirée

  4. Pingback: CommonWealth Magazine - Corruption Buzz
  5. Pingback: Financial prospects keep sliding as Gannett prepares to shift away from local – Media Nation
  6. Pingback: Financial prospects keep sliding as Gannett prepares to shift away from local – What Works

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