Five new microsites put our readers centre stage
Sep 29 2008 by Graeme Whitfield, The Journal
FIVE more microsites are today being launched as part of The Journal’s Your Place project to bring more local news to the people of Northumberland.
The websites for Blyth, Prudhoe, Ponteland, Cramlington and Bedlington build on the success of the sites launched in Hexham, Alnwick, Ashington, Berwick and Morpeth earlier this month.
As well as regular articles from our existing district reporters in Hexham, Alnwick and Bedlington and a new team of specialised website writers, we want people in the county to log on and become community correspondents for the areas where they live.
Your Place microsites to cover the areas around Amble, Rothbury, Wooler, Haltwhistle, Newbiggin and Choppington will follow next month, and there will be microsites for every area of the county by the end of the year.
Journal editor Brian Aitken said: “The five microsites we’ve set up so far have already been a great success and we hope these next five will do just as well.
“Northumberland has always been The Journal’s heartland and we want to remain the county’s local newspaper. The microsites will mean that we can offer an even better service to our readers in the county, both online and in print.”
The microsites contain sections based around news, sport and other features from the local areas where people live.
There will also be links to a range of useful information, including roadworks, blood donor sessions, important contact numbers, petrol prices and weather.
The microsites also provide an opportunity for people to get involved in community journalism, giving people the ability to act as press officer for their club, school or church, or becoming a community correspondent for their town or village.
Some of the best material from the microsites will be “reverse-published” into The Journal.
If you are interested in becoming a correspondent for your community or want to supply news for your club or society, church or school, contact Northumberland editor Graeme Whitfield on (0191) 201-6262 or email northumberland@ncjmedia.co.uk .
The microsite web addresses are www.journallive.co.uk/blyth , www.journallive.co.uk/prudhoe , www.journallive.co.uk/ponteland , www.journallive.co.uk/cramlington , www.journallive.co.uk/bedlington .
