Based on the Final Report from Rich Haeg, editor.
As Catawba River Views turns 2 years old, it has overhauled its initial website, developed a multi-contributor blog site and is helping its parent organization raise funds to support its efforts to cover news around the river near Charlotte, N.C.
“Our still-developing community news operation not only exists but has begun to inform and connect our communities along the Catawba River,” said editor Rich Haag. “This has happened even as the one weekly newspaper for our area recently switched back to monthly due to lack of advertising.”
However, he added, “We have much more to do before I’m willing to say we have a successful community news operation.”
The site now focuses on community and environmental news, such as recent reports on a coming rail-trail on a small college currently isolated from a nearby town; efforts by local schools to begin hands-on learning gardens; and the ability of new artwork in downtown Charlotte to improve the water quality of the Catawba River 10 miles away.
The Catawba River Views news operation includes:
- The website, updated weekly or more often.
- An extensive community calendar.
- A community bloggers page, with seven writers, updated daily.
- A YouTube video channel with news videos.
- An e-newsletter sent roughly each week to groups and individuals within the River District.
- Facebook and Twitter feeds via HootSuite.
- A broad community-groups directory.
The site promote the activities of many other local environmental and community groups
and shares news on regional and global efforts to improve Earth’s health.
Among its successes, Haag reported, are:
- Growing awareness and credibility across the site’s diverse and divided (by the river) target community.
- Growing support from established green groups such as the Catawba Riverkeeper and NC Wildlife Federation.
- A diverse and synchronized media system with multiple channels to support one another.
- Database functionality for the local-news portion of website.
- Growing relationship with Belmont Abbey College, community groups and local government.
- Creation of a reporting model that uses community bloggers, college interns and local freelancers.
The website has used volunteers for many tasks and harnesses free online services such as Blogger and YouTube.
Its biggest challenges are finding lasting funding for its parent organization, Catawba River District, and adding staff. Currently, the news operation consists of one full-time staff person who oversees the community bloggers, one or two college interns per semester, and one or two paid freelancers as needed. The staff person serves as editor, main reporter, photographer, videographer and website manager. The site is also looking to grow its audience.
Editorial independence continues to be a goal, Haag said. “Two years ago when we applied for the New Voices grant, the Catawba River District Executive Board agreed that Catawba River Views must maintain an independent voice. We have done so. However, the news operation would benefit from establishing its own oversight board of community members. Such a group could build important ties across our community and provide a sounding board for dealing with tough issues involving environmental threats and local businesses — most notably the utility that built our lakes a century ago.“
