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Community Process and the Media. Peter Zelchenko http://zelchenko.com http://ward43.blogspot.com pete@printchicago.com. Prewar media provided robust community. Direct Newspapers Some radio. Postwar media. Daily newspapers consolidate Weekly newspapers steady but dying off
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Community Process and the Media Peter Zelchenko http://zelchenko.comhttp://ward43.blogspot.compete@printchicago.com
Prewar media provided robust community • Direct • Newspapers • Some radio
Postwar media • Daily newspapers consolidate • Weekly newspapers steady but dying off • Radio news may be “community” but not “neighborhood” • Television never was “neighborhood”
New media • Early online not useful for neighborhoods • Internet has created the possibility, and some headway, but structurally is more difficult than we think • We’re also overwhelmed with media. What will filter through?
Just one case study: Lincoln Avenue SSA #35 • Officials claimed community was legally notified • Officials believed that low turnout must have indicated there were few concerns • We spam the neighborhood... • We force a second meeting • But the damage is already done
Most effective means for public notice • Should have a feedback loop • Well-saturated neighborhood newspaper • Community radio? Cable? • Direct: Blitzes and creatively done handbills • Precinct newsletter • We pilot “official public periodical” for Ald. Flores
Emerging new concept: RSS feeds An open standard: Aunt Mitzi’s Block Club blog + Tribune identical format Keyword indexing means dailies can play locally Instant notification and editorial flexibility Still in infancy Could have feedback loop Critical mass is there, but bringing into every home is not efficient Enormous community potential with appropriate appliances Most effective means...