Media call them “mobile journalists” or mojos. They hit the road with laptops and audio and video equipment to feed written stories and video continuously to their local newspaper and its websites.Mojos also demonstrate a renewed interest in local news, called “hyperlocalism.” And The Daily Record may be the best of the hyperlocal crowd.At least that’s the view of Dr. Michael Ray Smith, communication and journalism professor at Campbell University. He told the story of the Record’s uncanny success using the old strategy of publishing local news when he presented his research Sept. 27 at the National Newspaper Association’s national convention in Norfolk, Va., at the Waterside Marriott Hotel.The new buzzword in the press is ‘hyperlocalism,'” explained Smith, author of four books including his latest, “FeatureWriting.Net.” “The Daily Record was hyperlocal when it began in 1950, long before the word came into existence. All the word hyperlocal means is that the newspaper gives its readers local news ranging from a child’s birthday party to the little league scores and the yard sale for the church and more.”Today only one in three people subscribe to a newspaper and the industry is returning to local news about crime reports, academic achievements and soft news about farm and family life in an attempt to regain readers, Smith said.Established in 1885, the National Newspaper Association is the national voice of community newspapers. NNA represents owners, publishers, and editors of America’s community newspapers and with more than 2,500 newspaper members; it is the largest newspaper association in the United States.Smith also spoke on hyperlocalism and writing ideas at the Southern Evangelical Seminary Writer’s Conference Sept. 22 in Charlotte. Colleague Ed Johnson presented at the same conference and spoke on the changing reading habits of younger audiences.A former journalist, Smith spent a decade working as a reporter and editor of newspapers including Gannett Co., owner of USA Today, Lancaster newspapers, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and others.Since coming to Campbell University in 2003, he continues to write while helping others to win a byline. In addition, since 2003, he has been quoted 14 times in newspapers around the nation including The New York Times. On Sept. 6, 2007, the Star-Tribune in Texas quoted him on text-messaging and language. His quotes also have appeared in The Chicago Tribune, Newsday, The Boston Globe and other periodicals.Photo Copy: Campbell’s Dr. Michael Ray Smith discusses new journalism trends at the National Newspaper Association Convention in Norfolk, Va.
Communication professor offers Daily Record as model at national conference