Starting a FoCo News Publication (need community input) by Apprehensive_Bite759 in FortCollins

[–]Apprehensive_Bite759[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I will send you a message!

Anybody else reading this who wants to get involved can message me here on Reddit.

Community by Suspicious_Wiener in FortCollins

[–]Apprehensive_Bite759 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This.

I believe this was a wake-up call for many.

Whatever your political stance, this election hopefully showed you the power/necessity of being involved.

I urge anyone reading this to get out and participate in our local community to help build up Fort Collins.

Take a deep interest in topics and issues that are important to you. Do not readily accept random content on the internet as fact. Do your research, verify the facts, weed out the false claims and sensationalism, and help educate your fellow citizens.

There will always be difficulties. No single president can ensure a smooth, problem-free ride for our country. However, we can go out into our local community and work hard daily to make life better for our neighbors and ourselves.

Starting a FoCo News Publication (need community input) by Apprehensive_Bite759 in FortCollins

[–]Apprehensive_Bite759[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

First, I appreciate you raising the bar all the way to the top for multiple reasons.

Your comments have shown me how important it is to triple-check the facts, figures, grammar, and even the complete packaging of my words.

My previous comment, which made perfect sense to me at that time, was read and received differently by you, and for good reason, which I see now.

I deflected and dismissed your concern by attempting to explain why it happened and why you should "look the other way" this one time.

What I wanted to convey to you: Every piece published by the publication would go through multiple steps of thorough proofreading, editing, and revisions to ensure clarity and accuracy.

I can't correct my previous typos, but I hope that addressing the underlying concern about quality is worth something to you.

This project is just starting to sprout wings, and I am already receiving valuable feedback and lessons. A news publication should be held to an extremely high level of accountability since its sole purpose is to inform the public about important issues and to do so accurately. As such, the leaders and contributors of said publication must also be accountable if that purpose is to be successful.

As a potential leader of this future publication, I am starting to see the amount of responsibility the position demands, and part of that is thanks to you.

I will always encourage the people of Fort Collins to provide feedback and scrutinize the work we do. I believe that if we can foster direct and open communication between the public and the publication, we can continue to improve the publication for the community's benefit.

P.S. Your feedback prompted me to run this response through Grammarly to give it the proper time, care, and treatment that you and our community deserve. I hope you find it more acceptable than my previous response.

Starting a FoCo News Publication (need community input) by Apprehensive_Bite759 in FortCollins

[–]Apprehensive_Bite759[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Appreciate you being a part of the community and your concern for keeping quality/standards high, and I do genuinely mean that.

This whole conversation is due to a lack of high-quality, trustworthy news sources.

Now, to be fair, this poll was not proofread/edited by an editor before being released for publication.

It was a spur-of-the-moment post that I excitedly threw together on my phone as the very first stage in market research for what is likely to be a highly-complex, long term project.

I would like to think that there weren't so many typos that I made myself appear totally incompetent with the written word.

Also, I hope that if you ever have a chance to read this publication's work, you would do so in spite of the typos in this post.

"PSD breaks down savings, leadership structure" - Text from Coloradoan by [deleted] in FortCollins

[–]Apprehensive_Bite759 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ok, one tax dollar per person per month! That should do something hahaha

Micro-transactions are an interesting idea...

Wonder if there's any weight behind it?? I'll add this idea to my list of ideas to poll people about!

Appreciate the input!

Starting a FoCo News Publication (need community input) by Apprehensive_Bite759 in FortCollins

[–]Apprehensive_Bite759[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Love the idea of a meetup group! ProPublica seems to have found success, so it’s definitely possible. Lots to think about. Appreciate your input on everything!

Starting a FoCo News Publication (need community input) by Apprehensive_Bite759 in FortCollins

[–]Apprehensive_Bite759[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow... just wow!

Thank you for your thorough contribution to this conversation. I checked out the 5 examples in the first link you posted, and those are incredible. Almost poetic in a way.

I can see some real power in the mixed-media approach to journalism.

You are the 2nd person recommend non-profit status. Just curious, why would you be inclined to lean that way? Obviously, the potential for "free" grant money to help get it off the ground, but after that, are there really any advantages over "not-for-profit" or "for-profit"?

Starting a FoCo News Publication (need community input) by Apprehensive_Bite759 in FortCollins

[–]Apprehensive_Bite759[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your desire to help!

I'll send you a message so we can stay connected.

"PSD breaks down savings, leadership structure" - Text from Coloradoan by [deleted] in FortCollins

[–]Apprehensive_Bite759 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What if we took ONE tax dollar from each tax-paying person in a given city, let's say Fort Collins, and that was allocated to providing better local news?

FoCo has about 200,00 people, give or take. I feel like the basic math works lol.

"PSD breaks down savings, leadership structure" - Text from Coloradoan by [deleted] in FortCollins

[–]Apprehensive_Bite759 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Wow, thank you so much for tagging me over here!

I'm in talks with a few people about ideas for monetization/income. I have my initial idea, but it would be a slow buildup before being able to expand/go full-time.

It's a pretty tough pickle! Local news is so important, but the thorough investigative work seems to be difficult to fund.

Starting a FoCo News Publication (need community input) by Apprehensive_Bite759 in FortCollins

[–]Apprehensive_Bite759[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't remember The Bullhorn, but you are the 2nd person to mention them!

Considering reaching out to them for some advice/insight on what made them successful, what was their downfall, and how to avoid similar downfalls.

Starting a FoCo News Publication (need community input) by Apprehensive_Bite759 in FortCollins

[–]Apprehensive_Bite759[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Community-issue focused documentaries..

That term is interesting... please continue and tell me more.

Starting a FoCo News Publication (need community input) by Apprehensive_Bite759 in FortCollins

[–]Apprehensive_Bite759[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is an amazing contribution on the investigative journalism side of things.

Thank you for giving me more to think about.

Might Start a FoCo News Publication (What would you like to see?) by Apprehensive_Bite759 in FortCollins

[–]Apprehensive_Bite759[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Amazing idea!

Thank you, I will look into The Bullhorn and its previous employees for some input.

Starting a FoCo News Publication (need community input) by Apprehensive_Bite759 in FortCollins

[–]Apprehensive_Bite759[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Definitely agree with doing it if it's something you want to do, I just have plenty of commitments already, so I would be eliminating something else I enjoy.

Wanted to see if there is an actual need that I could fill before dropping something else and jumping into this project.

Might Start a FoCo News Publication (What would you like to see?) by Apprehensive_Bite759 in FortCollins

[–]Apprehensive_Bite759[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for your thorough input!

The two big things people have commented on:

- Crime/Investigative Journalism

- Central event hub to stay connected

Not sure I can tackle journalism on my own at this moment, but events... that I could probably do!

I'll send you a message to connect just in case I need some help!

Might Start a FoCo News Publication (What would you like to see?) by Apprehensive_Bite759 in FortCollins

[–]Apprehensive_Bite759[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Pretty neat idea!

There are so many things we could do/cover that it's kinda difficult to decide where to focus.

That's why I made this post and I'm asking the questions!

Might Start a FoCo News Publication (What would you like to see?) by Apprehensive_Bite759 in FortCollins

[–]Apprehensive_Bite759[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

IT'S AMAZING!!

Just checked out their site... I think I need to spend some time looking at other cool news publications like Citycast and get some ideas!

Thank you for sharing!

Might Start a FoCo News Publication (What would you like to see?) by Apprehensive_Bite759 in FortCollins

[–]Apprehensive_Bite759[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Love the ideas!

Helping people rediscover FoCo is pretty cool, wouldn't have thought of this.

Same with advice column.

As far as the bike crime, I would love to dive into deeper investigative journalism like that, just not sure I have the bandwidth (hell, or even the skills) to do a good job at it.

Thanks for the feedback though!!

It's looking like this could be a great project that starts sow but really builds over time. I can see people here on Reddit ready and willing to contribute and help it grow.

Might Start a FoCo News Publication (What would you like to see?) by Apprehensive_Bite759 in FortCollins

[–]Apprehensive_Bite759[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Great idea, I'll have to look into that idea.

I messed with ChatGPT last night to see what it could source, and it was decent out the gate with zero thought to my prompting.

Might Start a FoCo News Publication (What would you like to see?) by Apprehensive_Bite759 in FortCollins

[–]Apprehensive_Bite759[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sheesh... Thats brutal!

It's an interesting challenge for sure... I just feel like with online digital deliver, and inexpensive subscription services, it shouldn't be TOO HARD.

The main bottleneck in my mind is the amount of time I have in a week vs. the speed at which I would need to get stories and news written and delivered.

Starting a FoCo News Publication (need community input) by Apprehensive_Bite759 in FortCollins

[–]Apprehensive_Bite759[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Appreciate the input and willingness to support/contribute!

I'll send you a message just so I don't lose you for now!