Dear OM list members,
see below the announcement for a conference next month in Cardiff, UK.  
It focuses on 'community' journalism as in 'hyperlocal' journalism,  
which is certainly a contested notion, but it would be great to see  
some of you who are based in or near the UK at this event and engage  
with the 'hyperlocal' debate.
Best,
Arne


Community Journalism Conference
Cardiff School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies
16th January 2012, Cardiff, Wales
Further info:  
http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/jomec/conference/community_journalism_conference/index.html

Cardiff University's Community Journalism Conference will explore the  
latest thinking, research and hands on experience in the rapidly  
developing field of hyperlocal and community journalism and examine  
the potential for engaging and empowering communities using digital  
technologies and social networks in innovative, low cost and  
sustainable ways.

Traditional local and community journalism is being transformed by  
digital technologies and changes in patterns of media consumption and  
distribution.

In some cases communities have been left with no independent news and  
information and no shared space for building cohesion and  
understanding. This poses a serious challenge to independent  
journalism and to the maintenance of healthy, engaged and cohesive  
democratic communities.

At the same time – in the UK, Europe and the US – we are seeing the  
emergence of new, innovative community and local journalism  
enterprises created by and for local people. As with all developing  
sectors, the potential and pitfalls are becoming more apparent, with  
new ways of working and models of sustainability forming.

This conference brings some of the worlds leading thinkers and  
academics together with hyper local journalists, innovators and policy  
makers to examine the emerging evidence and look at tools for  
effective development of community news hubs.

It is also the start of building a vibrant network of community news  
hubs launching Cardiff University’s Centre for Community Journalism.

Conference Speakers include:

Rt Hon Carwyn Jones, (@fmwales), First Minister for Wales
Jan Schaffer, Executive Director of the Institute for Interactive  
Journalism, Washington D.C.
Damian Radcliffe, author of the first review of the UK's hyper local sector
Solana Larsen, (@solanasaurus), Managing Editor of Global Voices  
Online, an award winning worldwide network of bloggers
Prof Richard Sambrook, (@Sambrook) Director of Cardiff University’s  
Centre for Journalism
Prof Ian Hargreaves, Professor of Digital Economy at Cardiff University
Practitioners including Hannah Waldram - Guardian.co.uk, Dylan  
Iorwerth - Golwg Cyf., Facebook, Wrexham.com, Port Talbot Magnet,  
National Union of Journalists