Tim Armstrong's "Patch" To Cash In On Death Of Newspapers?
With newspapers croaking right and left, American citizens are justifiably wondering what or who is going to fill the local-paper vacuum. To that end, a handful of companies have tried to float new local news models.
So far, most have failed (WaPo's Loudoun County experiment, for example). Google boss Tim Armstrong, however, seems to be on the right track with his new company, Patch.
Judging from the site, which has created a few New Jersey "patches," the model is to have a small group of reporters and editors write some original news content, with the community contributing events, classifieds, etc. This makes sense.
Any effort left entirely to the community with no editorial oversight will fail (editors do serve a purpose). As will any attempt to create a full-blown newsroom (the ad revenue just won't support it).
: