City
Toronto News 24 says that local news isn't dead
Toronto News 24 is a new local internet video news site, and it's coming at you 24/7. "Local news isn't dead...it's in your pocket!" touts reporter Paul Riley. The problem is, simply being available round the clock on the web doesn't make it novel, and it takes a lot to be effective and bring a high-quality new media project to life.
Hyperlocal news reporting most certainly continues to make inroads on the web, and it may be true that the evening television news is not where people are seeking to get the scoop on recent happenings in their community. But we already know that the web and mobile phones are where it's at; there's no need to try to sell us on the idea that future is now.
I don't like bashing start-ups, especially those that are well-intended. But sometimes ideas and execution just don't jive, and problems with Toronto News 24 effort are many.
First and foremost, the news found on the site is not breaking news or interesting local stories. Scanning the Toronto news page reveals multiple articles detailing shootings, car accidents, and fires - all far from compelling journalism, and none grabbing my attention any more than a police blotter or local TV news clip would.
Although Toronto News 24 is brand new, the cutting-edge technology angle and site design are quite outdated and simply don't deliver. The weekly "Toronto in 3 Minutes" video podcast (which launched just this week) leaves a lot to be desired, and the site isn't mobile friendly.
Branding is also an issue. We already have the heavily-resourced and far more established CP24 News. Furthermore, the web and video graphics shout amateur. At first glance I thought this was a joke site, someone's high school class project, or an old site that was created in 1995, but it turns out that these are real people, attempting to get something real off the ground. (In some ways, it reminds me of the mycitytoronto.com web directory, which somehow still manages to maintain prime billboard space on the 401).
A statement on the front page touts the site as the "The First Ad Banner Free Internet TV News Channel," which begs the question: how does the project generate revenue and compensate its staff? It appears that they're running a linked business called BizClipz, producing online video advertisements (for "less than the cost of a wedding video") for local businesses. These advertisements are then "featured on Toronto News 24 Channel free of charge."
Perhaps I'm being too harsh, but I don't see this as novel or viable model, and I think the product has a long way to go before it achieves much in the way of success. But maybe I'm wrong.
What do you think?
Is Toronto News 24 a site that will pick up serious traction and play a role in replacing dying forms of media like the TV news and newspapers?
Or is another poorly executed idea, destined to fail?
Discussion
33 Comments
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Props to them for trying to make something work with the small budget they (probably) have.
But its good see this initiative and would be neat to see them venture into citizen journalism if that's in the plans.
And if your comments are regarding the author's work - while I respect the journalistic process and crafting a voice, there are times when journalists/bloggers have nothing good to say. To echo what readers commented on following yesterday's piece on JacLife, in these cases it may not be worth writing at all.
Reply
Stephan Thompson on March 9, 2010 at 2:34 PM
Jerrold, I actually have seen the site. I think these guys are doing a great job. Obvi they have just started. I think its hardly the time to start criticizing the initiative. I also see you have not quoted anyone from Toronto News 24.com, Is this your idea of journalism? you do a story about someone without even talking to them? Come on. Check yourself.
Like the other comments said, kudos to Toronto News 24. I checked them out and think they look fresh, current and most of all real. Looks like their reporters actually care about reporting and not just churning out the same old news every other station does. I feel like these guys will get a great cross section of news and real people events and stories.
I say let's support them, it's great for our city to have choices on where to get information.
I do have one criticism, I did not like the Paul reporter guys tie. LOL But that is just the fashion police in me.
i'm asking because it seems like you didn't even bother to talk to them before bashing them.
i'm a bit taken back by this story as it really questions your intentions and journalistic ethics.
But i thank you for referring me to the site because i do like it and i think is pretty cool that somebody is doing something about this local TV fiasco without even asking for anything, consider me a regular Toronto news 24 reader from now on.
also i get 100% of my news from TMZ
Seems like somebody pee'd on your cornflakes, I suspect you wish you would have thought of it- I found them last week after they did a story on Porter Airlines and it was infact a fresh look to media online - Sure beats the hell out of the millions of same old blogs on the net - Good for them! You should do a follow up story in a year from now if you are still blogging..
Sorry for the double post
JS
CP24 on the radio doesn't cut it and are a pain to watch when they actually have breaking news.
TORONTO NEWS 24 has a solid start and seems to have a solid future. Let's hope they never sell out to Rogers or CTV.
Precisely. And I'm entitled to see things differently and comment on them. As are you.
Thanks for the bash brother i feel sorry for whoever launched BlogTO because i know first hand how much effort goes in to something like this as i'm the owner of TN24, but you just set them back few miles with your personal opinions.
but enough of you, i just want to thank all the comments supporting TN24 and tell people no to judge BlogTO for this story there is some really writers here and the content is usually good.
again, thanks for the kind words from readers, they mean a lot me since i'm the same guy that lost his job at SunTV 7 months ago and decided to not only to create a new job for my self but also create jobs for other talented people in the media industry instead of bitch about it or take unemployment.
sincerely
Juan Fanzio
Toronto News 24 C.E.O. and the same guy that cleans the washroom.
If these guys want to be taken even remotely seriously, live by their "<a href="http://www.torontonews24.com/images/stories/evolution24.jpg";>the evolution of the media will not be televised</a>" mantra, or make any inroads into the local new media scene, they need to be on top of things. So far they aren't.
i guess if we just bash the star and indirectly steal their content and call it opinion we would have piles of stories on our site, but we choose to create new content instead.
i'm going to get off here and go edit the Peel police officer funeral story which seem way more important to me than your opinion and judgment.
thanks anyways, your opinion would be valid if you knew anything about us or the site, but since you don't have the balls to call we will just take it as a personal bash and move on, thanks again and good luck with your blogging career.
Cheers chico!
J.
But do cut these guys some slack, I'm sure they have their hearts in a good place, and who knows what will come out of it. I just think their self-promotion blitz is a bit premature, and that they should have solid content on the site first....just my thoughts.
Different yes but different is good!
Videographer/Editor
www.brianhunt.tv
Your content is neither original nor timely, so I'd say the above criticisms are fair.
Did you finish editing that article you mention? I don't see it one the site...another missed opportunity.
Why, I wonder, is it so important to touch base with you to write an article like this. Do you think movie reviewers need to contact that director before rating a film. Your product is out there, and it should stand on it own. That is, if it's any good -- which it's not.
The thing is, that's all well and good if it's an interesting site worth sharing with the readers of BlogTO, but if you can't find any positive things to say about it, it probably isn't worth the time to write and publish something so scathing, especially when the site is still trying to establish itself.
Many of the criticisms addressed here are very valid, but this probably wasn't the correct forum in which to raise them.
as you can see is not copy and paste is actually 4 hrs of covering and event, writing it, voicing it over, another 2hrs of editing (video) and finally 1 more hr of uploading.
having said that, your comments are welcome and we will continue to grow at our own pace because we not on a rush to get anywhere so i hope you have the patience and understanding that we are creating unique content to share with people like you and are not trying to sell you nothing.
so hang in there and give us a chance to earn your respect and viewership without having to slam anybody, while i'm at it thanks to the guys at blogto.com for having the decency no to delete the comments, hats off to you for that and the fact that this is a pretty decent website to check out what goes on in TO.
regards
J.
Regarding the look of the site? A diamond cutter probably doesn't see as many bevelled edges.
Regarding the look of the site? A diamond cutter probably doesn't see as many beveled edges.
I also personally know the owner of the company and I can say that he is one of the few remaining persons in the industry with true integrity and conviction, but you wouldn't know that as you never interviewed him.
sincerely,
Terence
I think that's been proven enough on almost every local news blog in this city.