NewsBeat

2 NewsBeat June 2016 PA NY NewsBeat A NEWSLETTER FOR NEW YORK'S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS Published by the New York Press Association 621 Columbia Street Ext., Suite 100, Cohoes, NY 12047 518.464.6483 • 518.464.6489 fax • www.nynewspapers.com Executive Editor — Michelle K. Rea Layout & Design — Rich Hotaling C L I P & S A V E Mark your calendar Friday, June 10, 2016 NYPA/NYPS Board of Directors Meetings NYPA Foundation Board of Directors Meeting Straus News, 333 Seventh Ave. (6th flr.), NYC Thursday, September 15, 2016 NYPA/NYPS Boards of Directors Meetings NYPA Foundation Board of Directors Meeting Omni Parker House 60 School Street, Boston, MA Friday & Saturday, September 16 & 17, 2016 NYPA Fall Convention Omni Parker House 60 School Street, Boston, MA Friday, November 11, 2016 NYPA/NYPS Board of Directors Meetings NYPA Foundation Board of Directors Meeting Straus News, 333 Seventh Ave. (6th flr.), NYC Tuesday, January 10, 2017 NYPA Batter Newspaper Contest Deadline Thursday, April 6, 2017 NYPA/NYPS Boards of Directors Meetings NYPA Foundation Board of Directors Meeting Gideon Putnam Hotel, Saratoga Springs, NY Friday & Saturday, April 7 & 8, 2017 NYPA Spring Convention and Tradeshow Gideon Putnam Hotel, Saratoga Springs, NY lthough it's been in discussion for several years, the board is finally making some progress on an exciting new project: the development of a statewide news sharing network. This initiative was born at a session at NYPA's fall Publisher's Convention a few years ago. In that session a representative from the Columbus Dispatch told us how several of the largest dailies in the state had joined forces to provide their readers with compelling content. In the case of these Ohio newspapers, it was done out of necessity. Newsroom cuts had whittled down their resources to the point that they couldn't all be sending a reporter to cover the state capitol, or get a photographer, reporter and columnist to the Cleveland Browns game. By sharing some of their resources, they were able to limit their expenses while still carrying the same amount — or more — coverage than they had previously. But they were also able to remain distinct, because they controlled what was shared and what was held onto. If they didn't want to share the unique voice of a local columnist, they didn't have to. What started, however, as a news sharing program, grew into something much more powerful. For the first time, these newspapers, owned by different companies, began to coordinate their coverage and work together to produce enterprise stories and series. Much like what has more recently been done with the Panama Papers, they used their collective resources to dig into stories of regional or statewide interest — each playing the stories in the way that made the most sense for their local audience. It was important that they didn't treat these efforts as one-size-fits-all news pieces. Rather they took what they had developed collectively and added local elements to produce the greatest local impact. In essence, they saved money and improved their content. The hub of this content sharing platform is a database — a means by which editors can upload and download content and communicate with one another. For a few months now, NYPA has been discussing the development of a content sharing platform that would allow our member newspapers to do the same thing. Youngsters provide hope for journalism's future A By DAVID TYLER — President, NYPA Board of Directors A committee tasked with pushing this project forward met in Saratoga at the spring convention and began the process of refining what our content sharing platform will look like. We have also joined forces with our Dublin-based partner, AdForce, to put together the digital framework on which our platform will rest. In concept it is simple: when an editor has a story that may have a broader impact, the editor uploads it to the database. Each newspaper sets the rules for how that story can be used — and who can use it — to ensure that competitive lines are not crossed. Each morning, an email is sent to each participating editor indicating what new content is available on the database. These emails can be tailored to each individual editor based on the types of stories that editor has indicated an interest in. If an editor is interested in a story, he or she simply downloads it and puts it in the hands of a local reporter to put a local spin on it. When we began this process, we recognized that there may be different ways we could use this content to further expand the reach of this news network and perhaps provide NYPA and its member newspapers with additional revenues. If the content sharing platform becomes a vibrant hub for news from around the state, the next logical step would be to create a channel of New York news on Apple News or Flipboard or other digital news aggregators. Advertising sold around that content would drive revenue back to NYPA and the content producers. While that may be an attractive end game, my belief is that we need to learn to walk before we can run. The first step is to create the platform and then get you — our editors and publishers — to actively participate. It's my hope that you believe, as I do, that this is an idea that can strengthen your publications and websites with no money and little effort. Please look for future information on this initiative, and don't hesitate to contact me at dtyler@eaglenewsonline.com with any ideas or questions. NYPA board progressing on news sharing platform

• Cover