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